PREPARATION OF GROUND. 437 



The preparation of the ground does not differ from 

 that required for any other cultivation. In the previous 

 autumn it is thoroughly cleaned of all weeds, and left 

 with a deep winter furrow. In the spring the cultivator, 

 or. if necessary, the ploughs, are again sent into the field, 

 and the land is worked until the proper tilth be obtained 

 the manure intended for the crop being either covered 

 in by the winter furrow, if farmyard dung be used, or 

 broadcasted iri the spring at the time of preparing for 

 sowing, where any dry artificial manures are applied. 

 Manures are generally applied to the crop liberally, in 

 order to excite and support a vigorous growth. 



There are two practices followed in commencing the 

 cultivation either that of sowing the seed, or of using 

 "sets" or shoots from growing plants. In the Vaucluse 

 the former practice is followed, and in Holland, where the 

 climatal conditions are much the same as with us, and 

 where the same cultivation could be carried on, "sets'* 

 are invariably used. The month of April is the best time 

 for getting the seed in. The drill should always be used, 

 and the rows set at from 15 to 18 inches apart. In France 

 a system of cultivation still prevails similar to that of the 

 " lazy bed " potato cultivation in Ireland. Beds are laid 

 out about 6 feet wide, with shallow divisional trenches of 

 18 inches to 24 inches wide, the soil from them being 

 thrown up on the surfaces of the interlying beds. On 

 these the seed is sown by the hand, either in rows or 

 broadcast; the subsequent operations of singling, clean- 

 ing, &c., being the same as when drilled in the ordinary 

 manner. When the plants are about 3 or 4 inches high 

 they should be cut out to about fi to 9 inch distances 

 apart in the rows, the most vigorous being left for the crop. 

 Constant attention is given to the crop during the first 

 season the land is kept well stirred and cleaned, blanks 

 are filled up, and any weak and sickly plants replaced by 



