TILLAGE AND TILLAGE TOOLS 



39 



until weeds get a start, for cultivation will then be much 

 more tedious and expensive. If attended to before the 

 weed seeds have fully germinated it will usually be effec- 

 tive. Figure 5 illustrates various types of hand hoes. The 

 rahe hoe is the best for light soils when used before the 

 weeds have made a start, because it is an easy tool to use 

 and leaves the surface in the best physical condition. The 

 half-moon hoe is an excellent form to use where the 

 plants are crowded. Square-bladed hilling hoes are pop- 

 ular. The narrow, two-pointed hoe is adapted to crops 

 such as beets and onions planted close together in the 

 row. 



73. Weeding. — Weeders are divided into two classes, 



FIG. 7. DIFFERENT FORMS OF HAND WEEDERS 



viz., horse weeders (Fig. 6), and hand weeders (Fig. 7). 

 Horse weeders are useful in cultivating sweet corn, pota- 

 toes and a few other crops for a brief period after plant- 

 ing. They reduce the cost of tillage, especially if the 

 soil is light and easily worked. Some hand weeding is 

 necessary in growing beets, onions, carrots and many 

 other closely planted crops. The tools shown in Figure 

 7 are very generally used. The Garrahan weeder is a 

 homemade device of special value. It is easily made from 



