46 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



the soil is mixed, the more actual use is made of 

 the fertilizer present and the more readily mois- 

 ture reaches the roots. To grow well, plants must 

 have an abundance of food and water. Stirring 

 the soil brings fresh food to the hungry plants; 

 deep mixing and remixing brings the moist lower 

 soil to the thirsty roots. Varying the depth of 

 cultivation to fit the growth of roots secures the 

 best results; shallower work for surface feeders, 

 deeper tilling as the roots penetrate the soil. 

 The fundamental thing is to till. 



Tillage prevents waste of moisture. By fre- 

 quent shallow stirring of the soil, a dust cover is 

 kept on the garden. The soil particles in this 

 mulch are separate. As firming brings the par- 

 ticles together and aids in securing water, so 

 breaking up the surface crust separates them and 

 keeps the water from evaporating. This theory 

 put into practice during a drought often means 

 saving the garden, making of it an oasis in the 

 midst of parched fields. Such tilling is especially 

 important early in the season, while the plants 

 are making their greatest growth of foliage. 



After large growth has been made and the roots 

 have begun to feed deep, such frequent and care- 

 ful surface cultivation is not so necessary. By 

 that time, the heavy foliage covers or shades much 

 of the surface and so prevents baking and crack- 

 ing. Then, also, much of the moisture lost from 

 the soil through evaporation returns as refreshing 



