SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 13 



would do if it were smooth. Of the correctness of this opinion there is 

 no doubt, but as a rule the ground after the plow is rough and uneven, 

 for the art of plowing in a scientific manner, and leaving the surface of 

 the ground smooth and even is still unknown to the great majority of the 

 farmers of America. With the rough and unworkmanlike plowing that 

 is the rule, thorough harrowing is absolutely necessary before planting, 

 to insure a uniform depth of covering, and that the planter may run 

 smoothly and thus insure uniform checking of every hill. 



With a rough, uneven surface, much of the corn is dropped on high 

 places and either not covered or covered so slightly that when the har- 

 rowing is done, the seed is left exposed on the surface, and consequent- 

 ly lost, for it cannot grow unless covered with sufficient earth to insure 

 germination. There will also be a large part of the corn dropped in 

 hollows and when the ground is harrowed it will be covered too deep. In 

 preparing corn stalk ground for another crop of corn, I have found disc 

 ing before plowing the ground an excellent method, for with sharp, well 

 polished discs, the stalks are cut better than with a stalk cutter, and the 

 surface left in fine condition for the plow, the horses walking much bet- 

 ter than when the stalks are in their wa5^ 



The harrowing before planting should not prevent harrowing after, 

 and if the ground is foul the cultivator should follow the planter and 

 then with a thorough harrowing the corn will get the start of the weeds. 

 Merchants find it necessary to take an inventory of their stock at 

 least once a year that they may determine with accuracy whether their 

 business is making gains or losses. In like manner the farmer who has 

 an eye to business methods should take an inventory of his growing corn 

 every year and this is best done before cultivating begins. To take 

 this inventory a sheet of paper should be prepared in the following man« 

 ner, placing on the left margin the words — 



(Tally as shown, a stroke for each hill.) Total. 



"Blank" 



One 



Two 



Three 



Three 



Three *. 



Four 



Five 



Six '. 



Total hills in row 



The count should be taken across the field from the way the planter 

 was driven on at least four different rows, the field divided in about equal 

 spaces, that a good average may be obtained. Where the corn is the 

 proper height, standing straight and stiff, and before the leaves appear, 

 the stalks in each hill can readily be counted as fast as one can walk. 

 All that it is then necessary to do is to attach the sheet of paper men- 



