186 



HANDT-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY, 



For the simple purpose of cultivating the ground between rows 

 of plants, without reference to the killing of weeds, there is no 

 implement to be compared to the smallest sized subsoil plow of 

 the form shown in Fig. 67, which may easily be drawn by one 

 horse to a depth of from five to eight inches, and which leaves 

 the soil lighter and more exposed to the air than any of the so- 

 named cultivators. If the rows are more than two feet apart, 

 the subsoiler should be run twice in each space, but not so close 

 to the plants as to disturb them in their position, as this would 

 cause the breaking off of important feeding roots, while the tool 

 itself might cut off some of the more important side roots. 



In fact, in cultivating hoed crops, it is prudent to act on the 

 theory, that after they have attained one-half their growth, their 

 roots occupy the whole space between the rows, and after this, 

 to confine the cultivator to the most shallow work that will 

 break the crust of the ground, and kill such weeds as may still 

 be growing. 



In the early stages of growth^ cultivate as deeply as possible — late in 

 the season^ only an inch or two. 



THE HORSE-HOE. 



A modification of the cultivator, and, for most uses, an im- 

 provement on it, is the horse-hoe^ (Fig. 98,) which has a sharp 



Fig. 98.— Horse-Hoe. 



