io8 



GARDEN FARMING 



will answer the double purpose of a forcing box and a plant pro- 

 tector. Such a combined box is shown in figure 31, and the 

 method of using it in the field is suggested in figure 32. 



Some of the popular early and autumn vegetables cannot be 

 successfully grown during the hottest weather. Slat screens made 

 from plastering laths nailed together to form 4-foot squares will 

 be found very useful in furnishing shade in which such plants 

 as lettuce and celery may be grown in hot weather if abundant 



FIG. 32. Method of using forcing boxes in field 



moisture is provided. The slats may be placed on a framework 

 2 or 3 feet above the soil. The larger the area under shade the 

 greater the result. 



Cultivation. Frequent shallow culture not only eliminates the 

 competition of weeds but produces a mulch of loose soil which 

 conserves the moisture for the benefit of the plant. In small gar- 

 dens the cultivation will be carried on chiefly with hand tools, such 

 as the wheel hoe. In the farm garden few special implements, 

 besides a good seed drill, will be actually needed, but a harrow-tooth 

 cultivator will be found very useful. The Meeker harrow, shown 



