PLANTING 37 



with the first plowing. By plowing with high arch cultivators 

 after the corn is from three to seven feet high, all weeds 

 are killed after the ground is shaded. 



Where furrow openers are used, the depth of the furrow 

 is regulated by the lever which raises or lowers the runners, 

 but in order to vary the depth of planting it is necessary to 

 raise or lower the discs on the planter shoes. In our own 

 practice we set the discs to throw out a furrow of sufficient 

 depth to remove all weed sprouts and dry dirt from the 

 furrow. To accomplish this requires a furrow of from two 

 to four inches deep, depending on the dryness of the seed 

 bed. Those who have used furrow openers know that, being 

 a perfect gauge, their use insures a uniform depth of 

 planting. 



Although the corn is planted from three to five inches 

 below the surface of the field, it is not covered by much 

 more than an inch of dirt. It is, however, all moist soil, 

 since the dry dirt has all been thrown out by the discs. 



Some plant in a very deep furrow, but we do not recom- 

 mend this, since the sub-surface is often too cold for quick 

 germination. After a hard rain, water may stand in the 

 furrows if they are very deep. 



There are some soils and conditions where the use of the 

 furrow openers would not prove practical. On low, wet land 

 where the water level is near the surface, the furrows might 

 stand full of water too long after heavy rains. The use of 

 furrow openers has not proved a success on very hilly land, 

 since the rainfall will gather in the furrows and wash out 

 the seed. 



While we have mentioned these objections to the use of 

 furrow openers, the reader should bear in mind the fact 

 lhat the first plowing fills up the furrow and leaves the ground 

 level. 



NOTE: More will be said about furrow openers in the next chapter. 



