HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING 
RAKING AND MAKING FURROWS 
TT IS the mission of raking to finely pulverize the sur- 
face of the soil and to remove stones and trash that 
may prove an obstacle to the welfare of the little seedling 
plants. Thoroughly raked and properly leveled soil 
greatly facilitates cultivation later on. 
Push and pull the rake through the soil, lightly at first, 
to get the surface level, then to the full depth of the 
teeth, to get out coarse lumps and stones. When you can 
pull the rake through the soil without particular effort 
and it strikes no hidden objects, raking may be considered 
well done. 
Furrows are opened with either hoe, hoe handle, or 
wheelhoe plow. For fine seeds, such as lettuce, onions, 
a shallow furrow is easily made with the hoe handle. 
For seeds of coarser nature, the corner of the hoe will 
make rows of any depth. Directions how deep rows 
should be made for different seeds are given under re- 
spective chapters. 
9 
