CORN LETTERS FROM THIRTY FARMERS 163 



as we have no cutter. The stalk ground is always plowed last, for the 

 reason that it does not get tough like sod, and usually does not get dry 

 so early in the season. 



We use a common spike-tooth harrow and drag made of four-by-four 'a 

 set on edge. These are started just as soon as the ground has been 

 plowed. If it is pretty well beaten down by rain, a spring-tooth harrow 

 is about the best thing to loosen it with; then follow with the spike- 

 tooth to level the ground. I never put any work on early plowed ground 

 until I am ready to plant, and then I keep the planter as close behind 

 the harrow as possible. 



We find that a good clover sod with hogs fed on it, and manure 

 scattered over it will come as near raising one hundred bushels of 

 corn to the acre in any kind of weather as anything we have ever tried. 



W. H. MORGAN. 



Stanberry, Missouri, May 2nd, 1913. 

 W. T. Ainsworth & Sons, Mason City, Illinois. 



Dear Sirs: The soil in the northwest part of Gentry County is a 

 light, black loam and is somewhat rolling. 



In regard to the time of year to plow I will say that I prefer fall 

 plowing when it can be done. In the first place it is done at a slack 

 time of the year and can be put in good shape for planting in the 

 spring with very little work. Again, it holds the moisture better than 

 spring plowed ground. If I plow in the spring I like to double disc 

 the ground. This will answer for a stalk cutter and at the same time 

 pulverize the soil on top which makes it much easier to plow and makes 

 a good loose bed for the corn. I use a disc frequently and consider 

 it one of the most useful pieces of machinery on the farm as it can 

 be used for so many different purposes. 



A great many people rake up the corn stalks and burn them. I do 

 not think this should ever be done. Corn stalks should always be 

 plowed under and all other manure that can be obtained. The stalks 

 when plowed under will help to keep the ground loose. 



After giving the ground a good double discing with a good sharp 

 disc I go to it with a gang plow. A harrow should always follow 

 the plow. The ground should not lay long, especially if very dry, 

 as it will not pulverize readily when allowed to get too dry after plow- 

 ing. The harrow also levels the ground making a loose bed on top 

 to hold the moisture. When ground is plowed early it should be har- 



