70 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



Steps by Which Conservation is Attained. The foundation for 

 a satisfactory moisture-conserving tilth is laid with the plow during 

 the fall or winter preceding the summer during which it is to be 

 maintained. Though plowing has been considered as a factor in 

 opening the soil to receive and store moisture ; it is also considered 

 in its conservation. To do this the plow must be used when the soil 

 is in the best condition not only for turning but for disintegrating 

 by the crushing action of the moldboard so that the soil particles 

 shall lie closely upon the firm portion and not form large air spaces 

 which minister to drying out. Plowing when the soil is unfit results 

 in clods, which are every way hateful in the garden, and in air 

 spaces, which are objectionable, as shown. Even when the soil is in 

 reasonably good condition, late plowing, if left rough and open to 

 dry winds, will form clods in all except the loosest soils, conse- 

 quently all late plowing should be at once well harrowed. 



The next step in the assurance of a good earth mulch is the 

 early use of the cultivator. It will not do to allow the harrowed 

 soil to crust by rains and then trust to some later rain to loosen and 

 rescue the young plants from its embrace. Just as soon as the soil 

 arrives in condition after a rain, stir the surface well and the crust 

 will not be formed, and this must be done just as often as crust- 

 forming conditions recur. In this way the soil surface is constantly 

 kept in good absorbing condition and is also carried on its way to 

 the best conserving condition as well. Weed growth, which is 

 moisture wasting, is also prevented. 



Then comes the summer cultivation to retain such an earth- 

 mulch as has been described. If it proceeds upon previous good 

 work in clod and crust preventing, the vegetable grower is fortunate. 

 If not, he must have recourse to whatever implements for clod 

 crushing, cutting, chopping and grinding, work best in his soil, for, 

 as there can be no best plow for all soils, so also there can be no best 

 cultivator. The grower must learn to recognize the condition which 

 he wishes to attain and then experiment with tools until he finds the 

 best for his soil. Summer cultivation means cultivation all summer, 

 or at least as long as growths are still progressing. To reduce to 

 good tilth in the spring and then "lay by" the garden or else to count 

 upon later cultivation only in the case of later rains, is not adequate 

 cultivation for moisture conservation. The earth mulch will have 

 its capillarity restored by its own absorption of moisture from below 

 or from the air, and it will lose its efficiency as a protecting cover 

 even though no rain falls. Therefore frequent stirring to ade- 

 quate depth but without soil-turning must be maintained at intervals 

 both to restore the mulch and to destroy weeds which may start late 

 and pump moisture away from the plants in almost incredible 

 amount. Remember, though no crust forms and no weeds start, the 

 cultivator must frequently restore the surface layer to its condition 

 as an efficient mulch if the greatest possible amount of moisture is 

 to be conserved. 



