Xvi INTRODUCTION. 



one-half the roots from the vines, they will have but 

 half the strength required to do their work, conse- 

 quently one-half the crop will be the result. That 

 is just what the cultivator, as generally used, does. 



To buy fertilizer to grow crops, then delib- 

 erately go through the field and destroy half of them 

 is poor agricultural economy. But it is the common 

 practice, and half-crops are the result. The object 

 of cultivation is to build up the plant, in order that 

 it may produce its fruits. Leaf growth and root 

 growth must alike be encouraged ; the means to that 

 end are simple. The soil must first be worked deep 

 and made rich, and the supply of plant food must be 

 deep down to draw the roots from, instead of to, the 

 surface which is to be kept stirred frequently, or 

 just as often as necessity requires to keep it fine 

 and loose. 



The implement for that purpose is one that can- 

 not possibly stir the soil to a greater depth than one 

 inch. A simple one we. have used is a heavy oak 

 plank pierced with strong spikes, and this is kept 

 going. Our best cultivators of cabbage have long 

 since thrown away the cabbage plow, and, instead of 

 working deep, work the surface only, and this with 

 the best possible results. In countries where the 

 crops are all worked by hand, which means surface 

 culture only, the average yield of potatoes is fully 

 double that of ours. Now, we do not wish to do 

 away with the horse in agriculture, but do wish to 

 have him attached to implements that will assist 

 rather than destroy plant growth. 



These preliminary remarks are applicable to the 

 cultivation of all crops. Specific instructions will be 

 given in their respective chapters. 



