22 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



currence is to plow land and let it He for many days 

 without harrowing. Except for fall plowing no greater 

 mistake can be made, for during the interval between 

 plowing and harrowing an enormous amount of soil 

 moisture escapes and thorough pulverization of the soil 

 when dried is almost impossible. No more land should 

 be plowed than can be harrowed at least once the same day. 

 69. Dragging. Figure i shows a homemade device 

 known in different sections as a plank drag, float, planker, 

 clod crusher or slicker. It is valuable both as a pulver- 



FIG. I. PLANK DRAG 



izer and a leveler. Drags differ greatly in size and stylo 

 of construction. Whatever the form of construction the 

 principles involved are the same. The drag is not so 

 essential if the Meeker smoothing harrow is available, 

 but in the absence of this tool it cannot be dispensed 

 with. It is especially valuable in preparing a very fine, 

 smooth surface for small seeds or delicate plants. 



70. Soil preparation. Inexperienced gardeners are 

 often undecided as to the best order for tillage operations 

 after plowing. Suppose that a heavy sod has been plowed 

 and that the soil is a clay loam, what tools should be 



