PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMEKs' CLUB, 149 



a hoe-handle, mix the ashes well with the soil, without changing 

 the form of the furrow ; then make holes fourteen inches apart, 

 with a garden-trowel (not a dibble), along in the rows where the 

 plants are to go. Set the plants carefully in these holes, so that 

 their crowns will be two inches below the general level of the 

 prepared ground — fur the reason that when the plant has gained 

 size and strength, it will admit of being hoed without drawing 

 the earth from between the rows. The little edge or bank of 

 ground left by the side of the furrow when it was made, will, as 

 it is, from time to time, drawn into the furroAv, during the first 

 season's hoeing, enable the plant to put forth new roots above 

 the first ones ; and by fall the furrow will be, by this gradual 

 process, completely filled up, so that the bed will present one 

 level surface. Meanwhile bear in mind to pinch off the runners 

 as they appear. 



" As we do not expect much fruit the first season, I make it a 

 rule to go all over the ground after rains, with a rake about one 

 foot wide, with six inch prongs, to destroy any weeds that may- 

 begin to appear. I use the rake from the first ; if the ground is 

 pliant, it is certainly the best thing to use. 



" The plants are now established and ready to be covered over, 

 late in the fall, with hay or straw, or anything of the kind which 

 contains no seeds ; and over this pea-brush should be laid to keep 

 it from blowing off. This process of covering answers many good 

 purposes, among which are, it keeps the fruit clean, holds the 

 weeds in check, retains moisture in the ground longer, and last, 

 though not least, without it, in spring, the frost coming out of 

 the ground is apt to crack the earth around the plant, and snap 

 the spongioles or roots, which are of essential importance to the 

 early bearing of the plants. It is necessary to part the straw 

 from over the plants, and crowd it around the collars of the same 

 when the season fairly sets in, and there let it remain until they 

 are done fruiting — bearing in mind not to touch them with rake 

 or hoe until they are done bearing. If weeds appear, pull them 

 up while young. 



When the plants are done bearing, the straw may be taken 

 bodily from the ground, and the process of raking, spading in the 

 alleys, and adding earth to the plants as they require it for the 

 side shoots which each plant sends out, should be performed, as 

 of course the roots are now nearer the surface of the ground. 

 Hence the utility of planting as low in the ground the first year 



