164 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



five inches high, and are smoothed off by an implement 

 made for the purpose. Upon these beds, quite near the 

 edges, the plants are set in rows twenty inches apart, while 

 the depressed space between the beds is twenty-seven inches 

 wide. This space is also designed for the paths. The rows 

 and the proper distances for the plants are designated by a 

 '' marker," an implement consisting of several wheels fas- 

 tened to a frame and drawn by hand. On the rim of these 

 wheels are two knobs shaped like an acorn. Each wheel 

 marks a continuous line on the soft earth, and with each 

 revolution the knobs make two slight but distinct depres- 

 sions twelve inches apart ; or, if the variety to be planted 

 is a vigorous grower, he uses another set of wheels that in- 

 dent the ground every fifteen inches. A plant is dropped 

 at each indentation, and a gang of colored women follow with 

 trowels, and by two or three quick, dexterous movements, 

 imbed the roots firmly in the soil. Some become so quick 

 and skilful as to be able to set out six or seven thousand a 

 day, while four or five thousand is the average. With his 

 trained band of twenty women, Mr. Young calls the setting 

 of a hundred thousand plants a good day's work. 



In April commences the long campaign against the weeds, 

 which advance Hke successive armies. No sooner is one 

 growth slain than a different and perhaps more pestiferous 

 class rises in its place, — the worst of the Philistines being 

 nut-grass, quack-grass, and — direst foe of all — wire-grass. 



This labor is reduced to its minimum by mule cultivation, 

 and Mr. Young has on his farm a style of cultivator that is 

 peculiarly adapted to the work. As this is his own inven- 

 tion, I will not describe it, but merely state that it enables 

 him to work very close to the rows, and to stir the soil 

 deeply without moving it or covering the plants. These 

 cultivators are followed by women, with light, sharp hoes, 



