476 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
Companion cropping has advantages as well as disad- 
tantages. The advantages are, (i) economy of space, no 
ground being wasted; (2) economy of plant food, the 
surplus applied for one crop being utilized by another; 
(3) economy in tillage, the same plowing, harrowing 
and cultivation serving for two or more crops; (4) con- 
centration of operations, the force of laborers being con- 
fined to one acre instead of two or three; (5) soil im- 
provement, as when peas or beans are planted with other 
crops; (6) increased profits from the area cultivated. 
The disadvantages are, (1) the necessity for an in- 
creased amount of hand labor in weeding and the use 
of hoes and hand wheel hoes; (2) a greater demand or 
requirement for plant food and soil moisture; (3) the 
close attention and time required in looking after the 
details. For these reasons many commercial gardeners 
prefer to cultivate more acres, with perhaps less annoy- 
ance. Some plans of double-cropping, however, are no 
more troublesome than of single cropping. 
Companion cropping is most advantageous under the 
following conditions: (1) When the area of ground 
available is very much limited; (2) when land values, 
rentals and taxes are high; (3) when liberal supplies of 
manure are easily available; (4) when the necessary 
labor can be secured without much difficulty; (5) when 
good markets are easily accessible; (6) when irrigation 
is possible or when the soil moisture can be readily con- 
served. 
In making specific plans for companion cropping the 
following factors should be carefully considered: (1) 
The time when each crop will be planted. (2) The time 
when each crop will mature. (3) The required space for 
each vegetable at various stages of growth. (4) The 
habit of growth of the various plants. (5) The supply 
of soil moisture and plant food in their relation to time 
of maturity and the space required. 
