BLIND CULTIVATION 73 



is in thoroughly good condition, harrowing normally will be 

 unnecessary. If cold, rainy weather comes on after the corn 

 is planted, however, preventing its prompt germination and 

 growth, it is probably better to harrow the field and keep 

 the soil in good condition than to allow it to become baked 

 and hard and to permit weeds to grow, even if some plants 

 are destroyed by this treatment. 



86. Blind Cultivation. In many instances, blind culti- 

 vation, — that is, cultivating the corn before it is up by 

 following the rows, as indicated by the planter marks, — 

 is a desirable practice. By cultivating as soon as it is evident 

 that the soil should be stirred, even throwing a little soil on 

 top of the row, its condition may be greatly improved and 

 many small weeds ma}^ be destro^^ed without injuring the 

 small corn plants. Thus harrowing can often be obviated. 



87. Use of the Weeder. The weeder is often used during 

 the early stages of cultivation with good results. The weeder 

 is such a light implement that unless the soil is in fairly good 

 condition it cannot do much work; but if the soil has been 

 harrowed, or preferably, blind-cultivated, going over it with 

 a weeder will destro}^ many small weeds and leave the soil 

 soft and mellow on top of the hills, so that the plants can 

 easily push their way out. 



88. Types of Cultivators. The selection of tools for the 

 cultivation of corn may be influenced to a considerable degree 

 by personal preference. A feAv simple principles are worthy 

 of consideration in the selection of those implements, however. 

 A cultivator is used to loosen the soil, sometimes when it is 

 rather heavy and hard, and also to tear out rather large weeds 

 which should not be in a corn field, but which, nevertheless, 

 are often found there. It is evident, then, that a cultivator, 

 to be useful for these purposes, must have strength cap- 

 able of stirring considerable soil to a reasonable depth. 



The types of sulky cultivators in more or less common 

 use include those with two shovels on each side, the shovels 



