PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. 



13 



CHAPTER III. 



PREPARATION OF THE GROUND 



After draining, (if draining is necessary), comes the 

 preparation of the soil. Presuming that the ground 

 where the new garden is to be made is an open space, 

 clear of trees or other obstructions, there is no cultiva- 

 tion so cheap and yet so thorough, as plowing and har- 

 rowing. To do this properly, the ordinary plow should 

 be followed .by the subsoil plow, stirring the subsoil up 

 about fifteen inches deep, so that the water will pass 

 through to the drains, natural or artificial, freely. After 

 the plow and subsoiler, follows the harrow, which should 

 be weighted, so that the teeth sink six inches into the 

 soil, in order to completely pulverize it. In Europe, it 

 would be considered sacrilege to use a plow or harrow in 

 the preparation of a private garden, and most of old- 

 country gardeners among us will stand aghast at such ad- 

 vice, but I have been through all parts of the work, and 

 am well satisfied, from no limited practice, that plowing 

 and harrowing will not only do the work at one-fourth 

 of the cost, but in a better manner than the ordinary 

 digging or trenching with the spade. Let me here cau- 

 tion that great care be taken never to plow, dig, harrow, 

 rake, or hoe ground when wet ; if work must be done, 

 pull out weeds, or set plants, if you will, but never, under 

 any circumstances, stir the soil in preparation for a crop 

 until it is dry enough not to clog. If stirred while wet, 

 the particles stick together, and the crop is not only in- 

 jured for the season, but in some soils the bad effects 

 show for years. 



