118 



REN'NIES AGRICULTURE. 



will not be disturbed. This is done by putting a 

 thin piece of wood — say two laths — under these 

 teeth and over the others about the centre of the 

 teeth. There are several advantages to be gained 

 by keeping the surface loosened even before the 

 plants appear above the ground. The air is thus 

 let into the soil and moisture is conserved. Bacteria 



61. CULTIVATOR FRAME WITH RIBBERS. 



Thinning, and 

 Varieties of 

 Field Roots. 



is also thereby allowed to act on the humus, and 

 make it available for plant food, so that as soon as 

 the plants commence to grow they are provided with 

 a full supply of soluble food. 



Commence thinning mangel-wurzels when the 

 plants are from one inch to one and a half inches 

 high, leaving the plants about twelve inches apart 

 in the row. It is scarcely ever necessary to stoop 

 and use the fingers. The work can be done with the 



