152 KING CORN 
that is done properly, the same should be worked down 
to as nearly level as possible immediately after plowing. 
The best plan is to run over each half-day’s plowing with 
some good pulverizer. A level, well-pulverized surface 
absorbs heat and retains moisture, both essential to good 
corn growth. 
A pulverizer should be used that will pulverize the 
soil to a depth of at least three inches. 
Where soil is dry at plowing time, or where a heavy 
coating of green crops or organic matter has been plowed 
under, I would advise the use of a roller or drag before 
using a pulverizer. No time is lost by running the 
pulverizer over your fields in opposite directions. We 
all hurry too much in preparing the seed bed. If we 
would run the pulverizer over our fields a dozen times, 
or for a week before planting, it would more than pay 
us for the time spent. Our soil would be level, mellow 
and in good tilth. The planter could be run with ease 
and at a uniform depth, and the seed would be placed 
in a bed of warm, moist earth, surrounded by every con- 
dition conducive to quick, healthy growth, thus securing 
a better stand of corn. The growth of weeds would be 
so checked that the corn would have a chance to reach 
the cultivating stage before they were of any size. 
Having the seed bed in proper condition, the next im- 
portant step is planting. In the main part of the corn 
belt the best time to plant is between the Ist and t1oth of 
May. As a rule, planting cannot be done with safety 
before May 1 unless the spring is early and the soil is in 
excellent condition as to dryness and warmth. In the 
south part of the corn belt planting may be earlier. It 
