HOME PROJECTS 345 



weeds. It may be necessary to pull many weeds by hand, 

 but whether by hand or hoe, the weeds must go. 



A loose, shallow surface soil mulch should be maintained 

 at all times. As soon after a rain as the ground is friable 

 the surface should be broken and the mulch provided to pre- 

 vent excessive evaporation. Every few days, whether it rains 

 or not, the ground should be stirred and the growth of weeds 

 checked. The best tool for this purpose is a wheel hoe. The 

 Planet Junior wheel hoe is an excellent implement for every 

 garden of the size recommended in this project. It will always 

 be necessary for the best results, however, to use the common 

 hand hoe in addition to the wheel hoe to put on the finishing 

 touches. 



Where some of the plants are crowding each other too 

 much it may be necessary to thin them. 



Some of the plants of the garden will need special handling 

 as the season advances. Tomatoes should be tied up to stakes ; 

 beans, if of the pole variety, will need staking. 



Combating pests will be an early problem. 



1. The striped melon beetle will attack the cucumbers 

 and melons as soon as they appear. If there are only a few 

 hills, it is practical to protect them by covering with small 

 screen-covered bottomless boxes. Tobacco dust, lime, etc., are 

 repellents often successfully used. 



2. Large insects, such as tomato worms, squash bugs, and 

 various caterpillars may be picked off by hand and killed. 



3. For small leaf-eating insects, such as cabbage worm, 

 potato bug, etc., a solution of lead arsenate (about a tea- 

 spoonful to a gallon of water) sprayed upon the plants is 



