Hidden
or controlling pests, disease or weeds by cultural practices
rather than pesticides was "old fashioned gardening". He contends
that there is no documentation to support that claim.
Here's one:
"Before the days of artifical fertilizers there was an ancient
principle embodied in all farm leases. The rules of good
husbandry decreed that there were certain things the tenant
might not take off the farm: the hay and the straw had to be
fed to the animals and their manure put back on the land. If
they were carried off and sold the land suffered. No one knew
that essential potassium went with them. No one knew about
potassium at all." "The Principles of Gardening" by Hugh Johnson,
ISBN 0671508059, p. 24
Isn't it established that vigorously growing crops have a greater
measure of resistance to pests and disease? Couldn't this be
considered an ancient cultural practice that prevents or controls
pest or disease problems?