CHAPTER XII 



Cultivation 



For maximum crop. — As soon as plants are set 

 the ground should be well cultivated to the greatest 

 depth practicable. We should remember that the to- 

 mato needs for its best development a very friable 

 soil, while the tramping necessary in setting out the 

 plants and gathering the fruit tends to compact and 

 harden the soil. Often transplanting has to be done 

 when the soil is wet, and we need to counteract the 

 injury from tramping by immediate cultivation; but, 

 at the same time, we must avoid the disturbing of the 

 plants any more than is necessary, and all of our cul- 

 tivation should be done with these points in mind. 

 Just how it can be done best will vary not only with 

 the location and the facilities available, but with the 

 weather conditions, so that it is not well to attempt 

 to give explicit directions any further than that one 

 can hardly cultivate too deeply for the first seven 

 days nor too often for the first 30 days after the 

 plants are set, provided he avoids turning the soil 

 when it is too wet. Even walking through the field 

 when the soil is wet is injurious and should be avoided, 

 in proportion as the soil is a clayey one. 



At least expenditure of labor. — ^I hardly need 

 add to or change the suggestions given above for to- 

 matoes at least cost, for any cultivation wisely given 

 will probably do as much to reduce cost per bushel by 



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