Drainage. Tillage 



371 



As a matter of practice, however, it is found that 4 feet 

 is iisiiallY the maximura depth, and about 3 feet the mini- 

 mum. Wet hinds, or very hard clay, should have drains 

 at a distance of not more than 2 or 3 rods, if the lands are 

 to be put in the very best condition for market-gardening 

 purposes. It may be advisable, however, to use such lands 

 for the later, cheaper and general-purpose crops rather 

 than for the very early ones if the gardener has other land 

 that can be tilled for the crops desired for the early 

 market. 



Tillage. ' 



At present great emphasis in agricultural practice is 

 placed on tillage. AVe have passed through that era in 

 which we have looked to recipes and special practices for 

 the improving of the land. The fundamental considera- 

 tion is to till: the later and incidental thing is to fer- 

 tilize the land. 



We till (1) to prepare the land to receive the crop ; and 

 (2) to maintain the soil in good condition for the growth 

 of the crop. 



To prepare for the crop, the land should be loosened 

 and pulverized as deep as ordinary roots go. To maintain 

 the soil in ideal condition, the surface should be tilled or 

 stirred .as often as it becomes crusted or compacted. It 

 is essential that every farmer keep in mind the differences 

 between preparation-tillage and maintenance-tillage, for 

 these ideas are associated with two classes of effort. Cul- 

 tivatino- should be thoudit of as maintenance-tillao^e, not 

 as preparation tillage. 



1. The tillage of preparation insists that the land be 



