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FIG CULTURE 



down for the winter ; to stir a crust that has become 

 too hard for harrows, and to kill noxious weeds of 

 considerable size. Consider that it works the field 

 five times as fast as plowing and the saving in 

 time and expense is readily estimated. First cost 

 is inconsequential as it will cover ten acres a day. 



One of the most valuable implements the first 

 year and the second spring is a double shovel, es- 

 pecially so if the ground is clay or clay loam. The 

 points can be worked down as close to the trees 

 as roots will permit, nearly as deep as a plow, thus 

 making a friable soil where most needed. Always 

 follow with a harrow, or drag, to smooth the sur- 

 face. 



A roller is dangerous for a fig orchard, unless 

 the soil is very light. If the ground is dry it will 

 aid in maintaining capillarity, as then its pressure 

 will cause moisture to rise from the contents below. 

 We press our heels around the standard of a tree, 

 when setting it out, to compact the newly moved 

 earth and prevent drying ; and the roller may be a 

 timely aid to obtain the same results. But even 

 then, if efficient in compacting the soil, it will be 

 an injury afterwards unless the surface mulch is at 

 once restored by harrowing to destroy capillarity 

 at the top. 



Unless intertilled crops are raised these tools 

 should be sufficient to meet every requirement. If 

 cover crops are planted in rows between the trees, 



