30 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



ter is regarded as more desirable than in the South, where 

 the loss from leaching must be considered. It is espe- 

 cially advantageous to plow heavy sod lands in the fall. 



When plowing is deferred until spring it should be 

 done at the earliest possible date. This is important 

 from every standpoint. No greater mistake can be made, 

 however, than to plow before the ground is dry enough. 

 Every experienced farmer well knows the evil effects of 

 such a practice. In order that the soil may be dried out 

 early and that plowing may begin as soon as possible, 

 many gardeners prefer not to spread stable manures un- 

 til the ground is ready to plow, because such a mulch 

 greatly retards the evaporation of soil moisture. 



Most garden crops thrive best in soils which have been 

 ameliorated to a considerable depth, so that deep plowing 

 is favored by successful vegetable growers. No soil 

 should be plowed deeper, however, than the character 

 and depth of the top soil will permit. The intermingling 

 of a large portion of unproductive subsoil is always detri- 

 mental to garden crops. 



The subsoiling of garden soils has been advocated by 

 many writers, but it is seldom practiced and is of doubtful 

 utility. 



68. Harrowing. — In making preparation for sowing or 

 transplanting, harrowing follows plowing. The harrow 

 is also used sometimes by truckers in cultivating after the 

 crops have been started. When used in this manner it is 

 often effective in providing the proper tilth and in de- 

 stroying small weeds. 



Spike-tooth harrows are used more generally than their 

 efficiency justifies, for they are scarcely comparable to 

 some other types in their pulverizing action ; their teeth 

 do not run to great depth, and their tendency is to push 

 the clods aside rather than to break them. Smoothing 

 harrows are most valuable, perhaps, when used as weed- 

 ers after a crop like potatoes or sweet corn has been 



