Next to deep plowing we should urge the advantage of continually
stirring the surface of the soil.
IT PRODUCES CLEANLINESS.—Weeds in a growing crop are witnesses which
no good farmer can afford to have testifying against him. When seed is
sown broad-cast, weeding cannot be performed. In Europe, where labor
is cheap and children plenty, acres of wheat and such-like crops are
weeded by hand. _Our_ only chance is to clear out every field, to be
sown broad-cast, by a thorough previous culture. In all crops which
are drilled, or planted in rows, the hoe, or plow, or cultivator,
should be kept in lively use through the season. This practice should
begin early, that weeds and grass may not get a start, for often, if
they do, it is nearly impossible to keep them down, especially if the
season is a wet one.
But there are yet some important reasons for constantly stirring the
soil among growing crops. No matter how thoroughly the earth was
pulverized when the seed was put in, one or two rains will, except in
very sandy loam, beat it down compactly. This crust is injurious in
preventing the ingress of moisture. But that which is the most
material of all is, that _it excludes the air_. It is well known that
the air affords much nourishment to vegetation; but, perhaps, it is
not as well known, that it supplies it _by the root_ as well as by the
leaf. If any one wishes to try the experiment, and we have done it
time and again, let two patches in a garden be treated in all respects
alike, except in this—let one be hoed or raked _every two or three
days_ and the other not at all, or but once in the season.
The result will satisfy any man better than a paper argument. Indeed,
we have found it impossible (in a garden) to perfect some vegetables
without constantly stirring the soil.
While these advantages are gained, it is not to be forgotten that, in
dry seasons, a thorough pulverization of the surface, will prevent the
evaporation of the moisture _in the earth_ and prevent deleterious
effects of the drought.