150 FARM-GAKDENING AXD SEED-GROWING. 



among the class of men alluded to in the chapter on 

 " Farm-Gardening," who have patience to begin in a small 

 way, there is an inviting prospect before them. Having 

 already noticed the importance of liberal manuring and 

 subsequent care of the crop, I might add the great impor- 

 tance of preventing, rather than destroying, weeds ; the 

 plowing and working of the land when in proper condi- 

 tion ; the sowing of seeds or planting at the proper time ; 

 and, in short, of doing all things in season. By early and 

 repeated stirring of the soil, all seeds of weeds near the 

 surface are destroyed while in the germ, and it is a grave 

 mistake to wait until the weeds can be seen before the 

 cultivator and hoe are resorted to. Another important 

 point is to exercise judgment in doing the work ; for in- 

 stance, there is little use in hoeing or cultivating when the 

 ground is very wet, but that is just the time to pull weeds 

 from among the young plants in the rows ; and so on, 

 through the whole routine, endeavor to arrange the work 

 according to the weather or season, so far as may be prac- 

 ticable. During the winter months preparations should 

 be made for the spring. See that the tools and all things 

 are in repair ; cart out manure and place it in large heaps 

 near where it is to be used, make up straw mats, mend 

 sashes, get out strings for bunching the next season, if 

 any are to be used, and, in short, anything that can be 

 done should be done, to save time in the hurried season. 

 Have enough help at hand to do the work as it comes 

 along, and, as I remarked before, do not put in any more 

 crops than can positively receive proper attention. The 

 matter of marketing will require some judgment. 

 Green crops will have to be sold when fit, let the prices 

 be what they may, but dry roots have a season of four 

 months, sometimes selling highest in the fall, at others 

 late in the winter, and vice versa. As a rule, it is best to 

 sell off the most of any crop when fair prices can be 

 obtained. 



