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 
Each kind of plant needs its own 
balanced nourishment—to grow 
and flourish. Feed each one of 
your plants the RIGHT KIND of 
plant food. Use Agrico Fertilizers, 
specially made to provide the cor- 
rect nourishment for the three main 
types of growing things: 
AGRICO FOR LAWNS, TREES and SHRUBS 
Specially formulated from quick-acting and long-lasting materials, 
lb. and 5 lb. bags. 
AGRICO—the Complete Plant Food 
In Convenient Sizes—Full Directions on Every Bag 
Made only by The AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL Co. 
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—nhoes, 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 
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 
flower seed... 
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, 
Tare variety of 
or some special 
SPECIAL-PURPOSE 
AGRICO 
a Saal mae 
FERTILIZERS 
to produce thicker, greener grass, with deeper roots to resist hot 
weather and crowd out weeds. Economical—only 3 lbs. per 100 
sq. ft. of lawn. Also promotes stronger, healthy tree and shrub 
growth. Available in 100 1b., 50 lb.. 25 lb., 10 lb., and 5 lb. bags. 
AGRICO FOR GARDENS 
A different plant-food analysis that brings out ut- 
most bloom and color in flowers—produces lus- 
cious, full-flavored vegetables richer in minerals 
and vitamins. Safe, odorless, easy to use. Only 4 
lbs. per 100 sq. ft. needed. Available in 100 lb., 50 
lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., and 5 lb. bags. 
AGRICO FOR BROADLEAF EVERGREENS 
Specially made for the very exacting job of prop- 
erly feeding Rhododendrons, Azaleas and other 
acid-loving plants. Supplies the right balance of 
all needed plant-foods and builds up soil acidity 
essential for these valuable plant aristocrats. 100 
esseniial for these valuable plant aistocrais. Avail- 
able in 100 lb., 50 lb., 25 lb., 10 Ib. and 5 lb. bags. 
AGRICO ROSE FOOD 
A superior, complete plant-food, especially made for the one 
exclusive, important job of growing roses of highest quality and 
perfect beauty. Contains all essential elements—both organic and 
inorganic—for prolific rose-growth. Available in 50 lb., 25 lb., 10 
AGRICO 
ROSE FOOD 
>= 
47 
