THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 271 



tages and disadvantages of each, the harrow fills the important place as 

 an implement of cultivation in either method. We refer to the ordinary 

 steel frame harrow commonly called a drag. 



Within the last few years the tests made with a surface cultivator 

 as an implement for conserving moisture have brought out much favorab'e 

 comment. We refer especially to the mere stirring of the surface 

 which not only should be done lightly but often. No implement 

 on the farm is of greater value in the corn field than the harrow. While 

 it is not altogether advisable to lay too much stress on the individual sea- 

 son when drouth prevails, yet at the same time it is never a mistake to 

 take such precautions as will conserve the moisture of the soil to th9 

 greatest possible extent. 



What we have to say about harrowing corn, then, will apply to its 

 effect in holding tne moisture as well as to the destruction it will work in 

 the weed pests. As to the time when corn ground may be profitably har- 

 rowed we wish to say that we refer to its free use before as well as after 

 the corn is planted. Harrowing the ground before the planting is of 

 much benefit to the future crop. Many farmers lose sight of this, believ- 

 ing that when a field is fairly level that more work expended upon it is 

 labor wasted. This is certainly a mistake, for if the farmer has time a 

 harrowing after every beating rain before the crop is in the ground does 

 much to bring about conditions that will favor the rapid growth of the 

 corn after it is planted. It loosens the surface crust, which is generally in 

 a puddled condition after heavy rains, and leaves behind a mulch-blanket 

 which prevents ;ae evaporation of soil moisture. It is generally advisablo 

 to use the harrow as soon after a rain as possible, but of course the soil 

 must not be puddled. If the surface is left until it is dry the harrow will 

 have little effect by way of mashing clods or leaving the right kind of sur- 

 face mulch. In the prairie states it is often said that one extreme follows 

 another, and sometimes very quickly, too, and, however much moisture 

 the soil contains one week, perhaps ten days or two weeks after much of 

 this may have been evaporated, if provision has not been made for it3 

 conservation. 



If the corn fields have been thoroughly harrowed before planting this 

 implement need not again be used until the plants are large enough to 

 withstand the wear and tear of the harrow. However, the ground should 

 in no instance be harrowed when wet. We also doubt the wisdom of its 

 use when there is any considerable amount of trash on the surface, as 

 many of the young plants are liable to be injured by dragging rubbish 

 over them. This year on account of the large area of corn being cut up 

 last fall such obstacles will not be so generally in the way and because of 

 this and the fact that the importance of conserving the moisture has been 

 emphasized by a recent experience we look forward to a greater use of 

 the harrow in the corn field this year than ever before. While we are 

 aiming to conserve moisture by the use of the harrow we will also accom- 

 plish much in tne destruction of noxious weeds. 



