CULTIVATION". 41 



tween two rows. The marking off may be done by a 

 boy with a forked stick, the points twenty inches apart ; 

 or the distance may be guessed by a good dropper, as 

 heretofore directed. 



" The cultivation should be done with a good cultiva- 

 tor — hoe work ; and at the last working the vines are 

 thrown over on each side alternately. If there is no 

 disease or insects, the plants grow off at once. If the 

 cut- worm, or any other insect is present, replanting is 

 necessary. If the " black-root " is perceptible, the sprodts 

 should not be planted. Sometimes there is no appear- 

 ance of this disease in the beds, but it becomes apparent 

 in the field ; some persons ascribe the disease to over- 

 heat in the bed, others to damp, cold weather, but there 

 is nothing definite known about the cause. 



" The potato generally grows about one inch in diam- 

 eter a month, and sometimes the larger ones are dug by the 

 first of September, to obtain higher prices. The yams grow 

 faster, but do not sell as well by thirty per cent. In this 

 region, from the 16th to the 2Gth of October, the bulk 

 of the potato crop is dug, and averages, according to 

 fertility of soil and the proper cultivation, from seventy- 

 five to one hundred and fifty bushels to the acre." 



Extermination of Weeds. — Weeds are a great pest 

 in all branches of liorticulture. The best way to manage 

 them is to give the crops timely and frequent cultiva- 

 tion. A single stroke with a steel garden-rake will kill 

 thousands as they begin to show themselves above ground 

 in the truck patch ; or, in field culture, a single passage 

 of a light, close-set harrow, sweeping beside the plants, 

 will effectually kill or suppress their rampant growth, 

 and put a stop to their exhaustive demands on the soil 

 intended for other uses. But let them get a start, and 

 to head them or behead them will require more scraping, 

 pulling, and hoeing than any gardener can afford to give 

 iu a busy season. 



