48 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 
advisable. This small machine does very 
good work and is a great labour saver. 
There are many other tools for cultiva- 
tion, such as riding cultivators, walking 
cultivators, many hoes, etc., but for the very 
best work the ones previously mentioned, 
from the practical side are superior, because 
they (1) are easy working tools, of light draft; 
(2) can be used very close to plants without 
injury; (3) leave the soil level and in fine 
particles, making the best dust blanket; (4) 
are shallow cultivating tools. 
HOW OFTEN TO CULTIVATE? 
Many rules or suggestions are given in 
answer to the question. How often to culti- 
vate? It would seem that the frequency of 
cultivation would depend on the amount and 
time of the rainfall. Good advice is: ‘‘as 
soon as possible after every rain.” 
But what if it does not rain for a long 
period? It is best in this case to cultivate 
every ten days or two weeks, as the mechan- 
ical influence on the soil as well as the making 
sure that the mulch is working properly 
will help to offset the expense of cultivation. 
Continue this cultivation from the earliest 
