THE OLD GARDENER 
ON CULTIVATION 
Cultivation is one 
task that seems to 
be always present in @ 
the garden, Much of 
the “hard work” can 
be taken out of it if 
we observe a few 
simple facts. 
1. Have a reason for cultivating! 
Cultivating in the garden should 
accomplish a definite purpose. Kill- 
ing weeds is the main object. 
Breaking up a soil crust so that 
moisture can penetrate is another. 
Working in plant food may oc- 
casionally be needed. Occasionally 
cultivating is used to remove ex- 
cess plants. 
2. Use the best method for your 
garden. There are many ways of 
working the soil. Weed control 
can be done by hand pulling, hoe- 
ing, or, in a few cases, by selective 
sprays. Scuff hoes, wheel hoes, 
rotary cultivators all will do a 
good job. 
Soil crusts will almost always be 
broken if any method of weeding 
by pulled or pushed tools is used. 
Plant food can be worked in by 
pronged cultivators or wheel hoes. 
Thinning is usually done with a 
hoe when other cultivating is 
done, but many persons prefer to 
thin plants by hand to avoid ac- 
cidentally killing too many. 
Generally the best tools are those 
that take the least effort. The 
easier the work the oftener and 
better it will be done. 
3. Use care in cultivating! Deep 
cultivating is injurious. Plant 
roots spread out in to the sur- 
rounding soil. If you cultivate 
deeply these important feeding 
roots will be cut off and the 
plants will suffer. Tests at experi- 
ment stations show that lack of 
cultivation is less injurious than 
very deep. 
4. Do a thorough job! Light, fre- 
quent cultivation that kills all of 
the weeds is much better than a 
slipshod one that leaves small 
weeds here and there to grow and 
become a nuisance in a short time. 
5. Use labor saving methods! Deep 
soil preparation, and the addition 
of humus and compost will help 
prevent soils from crusting. Good 
sanitation in the garden will re- 
duce weed seeds to a large extent. 
Mulches will take the place of 
cultivating in a great many cases. 
Additional feeding for a growing 
crop can often be applied in the 
water when the plants are irri- 
gated. 
All of these methods will re- 
duce the need for cultivation, so 
A 
shrubs, trees. 
that the remaining areas can be 
given more attention. 
6. Keep your tools in top condi- 
tion! Clean, weli-sharpened tools 
are necessary in your garden. 
They save time, effort, and do a 
better job. Clean the tools after 
use and protect them from rust. 
Sharpen the edges of all cutting 
tools—hoes, wheel hoes, prong 
weeders, spades, and_ shovels. 
Store your tools where they are 
handy and ready for use. 
ALL PRICES 
IN THIS CATALOG 
ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 
WITHOUT NOTICE 
Ask us about 
PLANT FEEDING 
The difference between a good lawn—or gar- 
den—and a poor one, more often than not, is 
A MATTER OF FEEDING. The best grass in 
the world can't give you a good permanent 
lawn unless the soil is fed, regularly and cor- 
rectly. Same way with flowers, vegetables, 
We want to help 
That's why we say, ‘Talk it over with us!’ We 
don't just sell plant foods. We want to help 
all we can to make sure you get results. 
Whether it's window box or a hundred acres 
to be fed—we have the right food and the 
know-how" and the desire to help! 
WE CAN GET 
IT FOR YOU! 
If there is something you want 
for your lawn or garden—and 
you don’t find it listed in this 
book—Just ASK US and we'll 
get it for you gladly and prompt- 
ly. 
It may be a rare variety of 
flower seed ... or some special 
gardening item ... or perhaps 
you only want a suggestion. In 
any event—just ask us! We want 
you to think of us as your perm- 
anent headquarters for all your 
garden needs, 
