Hilling (Japanese Une 畝) ploughed by a hoe for scallions to increase crop yields.

In agriculture or horticulture, hilling or earthing up is the technique of piling soil up around the base of a plant. It can be done by hand, usually using a hoe, or with powered machinery, typically, a tractor attachment. It is used with certain crops to promote desired growth.

A common application of hilling is for potatoes. The tubers grow just below the surface, and can produce chlorophyll and solanine if exposed to light (green potatoes). Solanine is toxic in large doses, and can result in nausea, headache, and in rare cases death. By hilling one or more times during the growing season – effectively, burying the potatoes in an additional few inches of soil – yield is improved, and the harvest remains edible.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Hilling". Image Credit.

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