HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING 
HOEING 
HPHE most important factor in cultivation is hoeing. 
-L It may be done with a wheelhoe, a handhoe, or a 
stout, narrow rake. The last named is hardly ever con- 
sidered as a hoeing implement, yet it pulverizes the soil 
better than any other tool. 
The handhoe is the most useful tool in the garden. 
Early in the season one may hoe quite close to the plants 
with it and may sink it quite deeply into the soil and 
benefit the crop. Later on, keep farther away from base of 
plants and hoe more shallow, so as not to disturb the 
many fine feeding roots which spread just beneath the 
surface in exact proportion as the tops spread above. 
There are many styles of handhoes the usefulness of which 
each gardener must determine for himself. 
The wheelhoe is an ideal tool to be used in conjunction 
with the handhoe. It is particularly useful in keeping the 
paths between the rows free of weeds and thoroughly 
stirred. 
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