The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-29
Thorough Cultivation.

Writing in the Boston CultiuGtor n. J.
s., says: The character and ley of the soil
and the season should largely determine the
manner of cultivation. No one plan will be
found lest under all condition or in all sea-
sons. One item, however, is essential al
ways,and that is it is very important to COM
mence the cultivation early. Weeds are
much easier destroyed when small, and the
sooner the work can be commenced after
the seed is planted the easier will be the task
Of giving clean cultivation. One of the
objects in cultivating is to secure thriftier
growth Of the plants by loosening up the
soil SO that the roots can penetrate readily,
and also to make available plant food that
is in the soil also as mulch.
By having the soil in good condition when
the seed is planted, in a majority of cases
the work Of cultivating can be commenced
earlier than otherwise could be DONE In a
majority of cases, if the soil has been well
prepared the harrow will be found the most
economical implement TO use. as it thor
oughly stirs the surface and will kill out
nearly all of the weeds that may have
started up, and if properly managed will do
the work more thoroughly than any other
implement. With corn and potatoes espe-
cially two civilizations can be given with
benefit. The advantage in using the harrow
is that 1t can be used earlier than almost
any other implement, and when it is an item
to give clean cultivation this will be found
quite important.
After the harrow the character and condi-
tion OF the soil should determine the imple-
ment that should be used next. Ordinarily
in cultivating pains should be taken to work
the blades of the implement as close as pos>
sible to the plants, keeping the soil reasona-
bly, level, and working so as TO thoroughly
stir the soil.
With all the crops early cultivation is the
most important. If the plants can receive
a good start to grow it is q much easier
matter to maintain a good growth. But If
the soil Is wet. or the season is wet, so that
the cultivation cannot be kept right along
30 as to keep down the weeds. and in case of
their making q good start, it will often be
necessary to use the drain and pillow rum
ming as close as possible to the plants, aud
throwing the soil away. This destroys the
weeds, affords drainage. and lets in light
and warmth, and in many cases a good
growth can be secured in a wet season in
this way when otherwise the growth Sc.
cured would be very unsatisfactory. After
cultivating in this wav iengthwise and
crosswise in the field the cultivator can be
used. The two-horse riding or walking cul-
tivator, whether diamond, spring-tooth,
lever or disk, is more economical imple-
ment to use than any one-horse machine.
But the season and the cultivation of the
soil must determine to considerable ex-
tent how the cultivation must De given.
The principal item is to keep down the
weeds, and have the soil kept in a good filth
until the crop is well established and nearly
ready for harvest. The growth of the
plants and the condition of the soil must
determine how often and how long the cul>
tivation must be given; but it always pays
to do thorough work.