[82] Sometimes, when Turneps are planted late, this alternate Hoeing suffices without any Repetition; but when they are planted early, ’twill be necessary to hoe them again; especially if Weeds appear. Tho’ the Earth on each Side the Row be left as narrow as possible[83]; yet ’tis very profitable to hoe that little with a _Bidens_[84], called here a Prong-hoe[85]; for this will be sure to let out all the Roots into the Intervals; even such as run very nearly parallel to the Rows. [83] I do not think that we can go nearer to the Plants with the Hoe-plough, than within Three Inches of their Bodies. [84] We ought not to use the _Bidens_ for this Purpose, before the perpendicular Roots are as big as one’s little Finger. [85] Some of these Prong-hoes have Three Teeth, and are reckoned better as a _Tridens_ than a _Bidens_; but this is only in mellow Ground. This alternate Way of Hoeing Plants that grow in single Rows, is of such vast Advantage, that four of these, which are but equal to Two of the _whole_ Hoeings in Labour, are near equal to four _whole_ Hoeings in Benefit; for when one Side is well nourished, the other Side cannot be starv’d[86]. [86] But yet sometimes the Weeds, or other Circumstances, may make it proper to give them a _whole_ Hoeing at first. Besides, where a great Quantity of Turneps are to be ho’d, the last ho’d may be stinted, before the first are finish’d by _whole_ Hoeings. In this alternate Hoeing, the Hoe-plough may go deeper[87] and nearer to the Row, without Danger of thrusting it down on the Left Side, whilst the Plants are very small; because the Earth on the other Side of the Row always bears against it for its Support: But in the _whole_ Hoeing, there is an open Furrow left the first Time on both Sides of the Row, and there is Danger of throwing it into one Furrow in plowing the other; or, if the Row is not thrown down, it may be too much dry’d in hot Weather, by the Two Furrows lying too long open: Yet, when the Turneps are large before Hoeing, we need not fear either of these Dangers in giving them a _whole_ Hoeing; as I have found by Experience, even when there has been left on each Side of the Row only about Three Inches Breadth of Earth; tho’ it is not best to suffer it to lie long open[88]. [87] This deep Plowing so near to the Row is very beneficial at first; but afterwards, when the Plants are grown large, and have sent their Roots far into the Intervals, it would almost totally disroot them; and they, being Annuals, might not live long enough for a new Stock of Roots to extend so far as is necessary to bring the Turneps to their full Bigness. _Note_, At the last Hoeing we generally leave a broad, deep Trench in the middle of each Interval.