CHAPTER VI 



SUBSEQUENT MANAGEMENT OF THE VEGETABLE- 

 GARDEN 



TILLAGE is the most important item in the subse- 

 quent care of the vegetable -garden. If the land has 

 been well fitted before the crop is put on it, subsequent 

 tillage need be employed only for the purpose of main- 

 taining the surface mulch in order that moisture may 

 be saved and chemical and vital activities promoted. 

 This tillage may be light, rapid and easy. This light 

 tillage will keep down the weeds. Most farmers, 

 however, are obliged to fit their land throughout the 

 season, because it was not thoroughly prepared in 

 the beginning. 



How frequently one shall till must be determined 

 by season, soil, crop, and amount of help. As soon 

 as the soil becomes "baked" or encrusted, loosen it, in 

 order to prevent the loss of moisture. As soon as the 

 ground is fit after a rain, till it. If the soil becomes 

 very hard and dry, it is well to till it just before a 

 rain, that it may better hold the rainfall. Till shallow. 

 If you are skeptical as to the value of tillage to save 

 moisture, try an experiment. Till one part of the 

 field thoroughly and neglect another part. The differ- 

 ences naturally will be most marked in a dry season. 



(172) 



