156 FOB AGE CROPS 



favor, is the dropping of fine manure in the hill at 

 time of planting. The advantage of this method 

 is, tliat the oi'ganic substances will ferment quickly 

 and warm the soil, and thus encourage a quick 

 germination; and a more rapid early growth is to 

 be obtained, as the plant makes a quick start, gets 

 away from insects and makes possible an earlier 

 cultivation of the land. 



Tillage 



The methods of cultivation have been greatly 

 improved in recent years, owing to a more careful 

 study of the nature and the composition of the 

 plant. While the old notion that cultivation pre- 

 vious to planting is the best, is true to some 

 extent, tillage has for one of its primary purposes 

 the destruction of weeds in addition to the conser- 

 vation of moisture, and this is accomplished by 

 frequent and deep tilling subsequent to planting 

 as well as previous to it. Immediately after the 

 crop is planted, the surface should be stirred to 

 destroy the young weeds in the rows, and to pre- 

 vent the rapid escape of moisture. This can be 

 accomplished' by harrow or weeder. As soon as 

 the corn is three or four inches high, the ordinary 

 cultivator should be run through the row, the first 

 one or two cultivatings being three or four inches 

 deep, then gradually shallower, as the plant grows. 



