Cultivation should begin as soon as plants are set and when soil
conditions will permit, should be continued every week or ten days
throughout the entire growing season. Never cultivate when the soil is
wet but cultivate as soon as the ground can be worked after each rain.
Stir the soil to a depth of about two or three inches going as close to
the rows as possible and complete the cultivation by hoeing shallow
directly around the plants and in the rows where the cultivator teeth do
not reach.
Thorough cultivation prevents the formation of crust, keeps the ground
free from weeds and promotes plant growth. During dry periods repeated
shallow cultivation will prevent the escape of moisture and thereby
bring the plants through a long period of drouth in good condition. You
will experience very little loss from drouth if you put these
instructions into practice.