152 fining the Surface. 
the work of the plow is, in so many situations, found the best 
foundation upon which to rest the year’s cultivation. 
In order to secure this finely-pulverized layer, it is some- 
times necessary to use what is called a “rubber,” where there 
are many clods which are merely displaced by the harrow or 
cultivator. There are different styles, and they are generally 
home-made. The most common form is made of two-inch plank 
in lengths of three or four feet, bolted or spiked to pieces of four- 
by-four-inch scantling running crosswise, the edges of the planks 
lapped like the clapboards which are used at the East for weather 
boarding. As these edges are drawn over the surface, the clods 
are rubbed into tilth if they are not too hard and dry. 
But this rubbing may be very undesirable if it leaves the 
surface smooth and polished. It may refiect the sunheat even 
to tree-burning, and it is apt to form an evaporating surface, 
which is most to be avoided. The best finish for the land is 
that produced by a light, fine-tooth harrow, and an attachment 
of this kind is provided with various clod crushers and cultiva- 
tors. The result is a surface of loose earth, flat and fine, which 
approaches very closely an ideal condition. 
There is less difference than formerly in the use of the har- 
row or cultivator during the summer. Still some are content 
to use the cultivator only as a weed-killer, and after the weeds 
cease to grow and the spring showers are over, the cultivator is 
laid aside and the land is left unstirred until the following win- 
ter. This, of course, refers to unirrigated ground, for wherever 
irrigation is practised, a cultivator must follow. It is a fact, how- 
ever, that even if no rain falls, the soil becomes compacted to a: 
certain degree, and the best way to imprison the greatest possi- 
ble amount of moisture below is to run the cultivator at intervals 
all through the dry season. It should run shallow and only stir 
the surface layer. The experience of the most successful grow- 
ers is that frequent stirring without, however, bringing new soil 
to the air, is the best-paying practise. 
WHAT IS THOROUGH CULTIVATION. 
As clean, thorough cultivation has been approved, it may 
be desirable to attempt to define the term. It can, however, 
only be approximately done, because of the great difference in 
individual views and practises. Some indication of the opera- 
tions which are contemplated may be had in the following spec- 
ifications upon which contracts have been let for care of or- 
chard: First, plowing away from the trees, followed by harrow- 
ing; second, plowing toward the trees, followed by harrowing; 
ten summer workings with cultivator; three workings with shal- 
low cultivator or weed-cutter: five hand hoeings around the 
