Vegetable Cultivation 105 



suggestions that will reduce this work to a mini- 

 mum, (i) Get at this work while the ground is 

 soft; as soon as the soil begins to dry out after a 

 rain is the best time. Under such conditions the 

 weeds will pull out by the roots, without breaking 

 off. (2) Immediately before weeding, go over the 

 rows with a wheel hoe, cutting shallow, but just as 

 close as possible, leaving a narrow, plainly visible 

 strip which must be hand-weeded. The best tool 

 for this purpose is the double wheel hoe with disc 

 attachment, or hoes for large plants. (3) See to it 

 that not only the weeds are pulled but that every 

 inch of soil surface is broken up. It is fully as 

 important that the weeds just sprouting be de- 

 stroyed, as that the larger ones be pulled up. One 

 stroke of the weeder or the fingers will destroy a 

 hundred weed seedlings in less time than one weed 

 can be pulled out after it gets a good start. (4) 

 Use one of the small hand-weeders until you become 

 skilled with it. Not only may more work be done 

 but the fingers will be saved unnecessary wear. 



The skilful use of the wheel hoe can be acquired 

 through practice only. The first thing to learn is 

 that it is necessary to watch the wheels only: the 

 blades, disc or rakes will take care of themselves. 

 Other suggestions will be found in the chapter on 

 Implements. 



The operation of "hilling" consists in drawing up 



