6 4 



PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE 



if they germinate, be unable ever to reach the surface; 

 while if they are planted in ridges, the rain is likely to 

 wash the soil away and leave them on the surface. 

 When as much of the garden plot as can be prepared 

 ^ in one day is ready, the seeds should be 

 \J planted immediately. If a person spends 

 several days in preparing the soil, and then 

 plants it all at once, he is likely to find 

 the part that was first prepared drier than 

 the part worked later. Thus it will be a 

 poorer place for the germination of the 

 seed (see page 12). 



Fertilizers. If fertilizers are to be used, 

 it is best to work them into the soil before 

 the seeds are planted. Because of the 

 greater value of garden crops, it is com- 

 mon for people who do not put fertilizers 

 on fields to use them on gardens. 



Garden Tools. On home gardens it is 

 usually impossible to plow the ground ; 

 and this is one reason for not plowing the 

 school garden. The best tool with which 

 to cultivate a small plot of ground deeply is a fork. A 

 spade is better only when there are roots in the ground. 

 It is possible to cultivate deeply with a hoe, but not 

 nearly so rapidly as with a fork. After the ground is 

 broken up, a rake is the best hand tool with which to 

 make it very fine. . 



FlG. 43. Spade 

 and fork 



