476 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



Companion cropping has advantages as well as disad- 

 tantages. The advantages are, (i) economy of space, no 

 ground being wasted; (2) economy of plant food, the 

 surplus applied for one crop being utilized by another; 

 (3) economy in tillage, the same plowing, harrowing 

 and cultivation serving for two or more crops ; (4) con- 

 centration of operations, the force of laborers being con- 

 fined to one acre instead of two or three; (5) soil im- 

 provement, as when peas or beans are planted with other 

 crops; (6) increased profits from the area cultivated. 



The disadvantages are, (i) the necessity for an in- 

 creased amount of hand labor in weeding and the use 

 of hoes and hand wheel hoes; (2) a greater demand or 

 requirement for plant food and soil moisture; (3) the 

 close attention and time required in looking after the 

 details. For these reasons many commercial gardeners 

 prefer to cultivate more acres, with perhaps less annoy- 

 ance. Some plans of double-cropping, however, are no 

 more troublesome than of single cropping. 



Companion cropping is most advantageous under the 

 following conditions: (i) When the area of ground 

 available is very much limited; (2) when land values, 

 rentals and taxes are high ; (3) when liberal supplies of 

 manure are easily available; (4) when the necessary 

 labor can be secured without much difficulty; (5) when 

 good markets are easily accessible; (6) when irrigation 

 is possible or when the soil moisture can be readily con- 

 served. 



In making specific plans for companion cropping the 

 following factors should be carefully considered: (i) 

 The time when each crop will be planted. (2) The time 

 when each crop will mature. (3) The required space for 

 each vegetable at various stages of growth. (4) The 

 hab-it of growth of the various plants. (5) The supply 

 of soil moisture and plant food in their relation to time 

 of maturity and the space required. 



