HOW TO FIT THE LAND I9 



HOW TO FIT THE LAND FOR THE ONION CROP 



If at all practicable, I invariably try to plow the 

 land deeply and thoroughly during the fall previous, 

 leaving it in the rough and exposed to the benevolent 

 action of the weather, especially repeated freezing and 

 thawing. Fine manure in the desired quantity may 

 be applied any time during the winter or early spring 

 directly upon the plowed surface, or upon the snow 

 covering it. 



While spring plowing may not be required on 

 mucky or loose loamy soils, I would not omit it if the 

 soil is packed hard by winter rains and snows, or if 



Fig 16 — MEEKER SMOOTHING HARROW 



the manure applied is in the least coarse. Manure that 

 will not work up perfectly fine, and mixed with the 

 soil will not make a perfect seed bed, should be 

 plowed under. 



On our own soils we have to use the disk har- 

 row or pulverizer (Fig 14) in order to get the land in 

 best condition. This cuts deep and works the ground 

 over very thoroughly. I prefer to use this first, then 

 follow with the Acme (Fig 15), which smooths the 

 surface that the disk has left somewhat ridged. In 

 the absence of an Acme, a common smoothing harrow 

 or drag will do very well. Should neither disk nor 

 Acme be at command, I would use a narrow-bladed 

 cultivator, such as the Planet Jr or Iron Age horse 

 hoe, or a spike-tooth cultivator, stirring up the whole 



