8i 



CHAPTER XVIII. 5.^ 



CULTIVATION OF MADE GARDENS. 



As manuring, which is part of this, is treated separately, we 

 have here only to consider the best means of stirring the 

 soil to give air to the roots of the plants, and to keep down 

 weeds, which, if allowed, injure the yield vastly. 



Unless when plants are full blown and in full bearing 

 (and not even then unless they are planted close) it is not 

 only not necessary, but a waste of labour and money, to open 

 the soil all over the garden with a view of stimulating or 

 cultivating the plants. Much money has been wasted in this 

 way : for instance, in a garden planted 6 by 6 or 6 by 5, 

 and the plants but two years old, I have seen the whole dug 

 many times in the year. The roots of the said plants did 

 not protrude at that age more than I foot or so, what good 

 could they possibly derive from the extra space dug ? 



The soil over the rootlets of Tea plants cannot be stirred 

 too often. The oftener it is done the oftenerthe trees flush, 

 and when young the more vigorously will they grow. What 

 is the best way to do it ? 



I believe simply by digging round each plant. I go to 

 show why this is, I believe, the best. 



Putting aside the waste incurred in digging a whole garden 

 when not necessary, the way the soil is then dug near 

 the plants is, I think, objectionable. The ground is dug in 

 a straight line up to the plant, and in doing so, if the digging 

 is deep, roots are very apt to be cut. Again, when the work 

 is task-work, the men shirk as much as possible digging 

 close up to the stems under the branches, and thus the soil 



G 



