As previously indicated (71), hand hoeing is never so efficient as cultivating with horse implements or wheel hoes. Unless crops are planted in check rows, some hand hoe work is necessary in growing nearly all crops. But even check rows do not always eliminate the use of hand hoes. The work should not be neglected until weeds get a start, for cultivation will then be much more tedious and expensive. If attended to before the weed seeds have fully germinated it will usually be effective. Figure 5 illustrates various types of hand hoes. The rake hoe is the best for light soils when used before the weeds have made a start, because it is an easy tool to use and leaves the surface in the best physical condition. The half-moon hoe is an excellent form to use where the plants are crowded. Square-bladed hilling hoes are popular. The narrow, two-pointed hoe is adapted to crops such as beets and onions planted close together in the row.

Fig. 5. DIFFERENT FORMS OF HAND HOES.