We have many years watched the varied results of the cultivator who keeps frequently stirring the surface of his soil, and the one who hoes or cultivates only when the weeds compel him to the work; and as we have watched and recorded our notes, the result has always been in favor of the constant stirring of the surface soil. We do not advocate deep tillage during the growing season, but we would have the ground deeply and thoroughly stirred early in the season, whether it were an old or new plantation. Once, however, that vigorous growth of top and root has commenced, all deep tillage should cease, because, by pursuing it, constant and continued checks are given, and a truly healthy growth prevented by repeated breaking and tearing asunder the roots and fibers, the supplying pipes for elongation, expansion, and evaporation of the branches and leaves. By repeated surface stirring of the soil, however, no roots are broken; the sun, air, and moisture are enabled to penetrate and assist in the chemical transmutation of the earth's compounds and fitting them for absorption by the roots.