74 FIELD CROPS 



necessarily being large to cover tne ground; those with three 

 shovels on each side, the individual shovels somewhat 

 smaller but still comparatively large; and those with four 

 or more rather small shovels on each side. There are also 

 disk cultivators and the so-called surface cultivators with 

 flat blades instead of shovels set diagonally and run 

 just under the surface of the ground. 



89. Uses of Different Types. It is evident that some of 

 these types of cultivators are better adapted to some con- 

 ditions than to others, and that all have their place. It 

 is also evident that the number of shovels, the size of shovels, 

 their arrangement, and the way they pass through the soil 

 have much to do with the clogging of the gangs by weeds 

 or other refuse that may be in the soil. Clogging and inabil- 

 ity to tear up heavy, weedy soil are some of the objections 

 to cultivators having several small shovels on each side. 

 Those having two or three rather large shovels are objection- 

 able chiefly because, in order to stir thoroughly all the ground 

 over which they pass, it is often necessary to run the shovels 

 deeper than is desirable, with the result that the corn roots 

 are injured. Surface cultivators are ideal so far as avoiding 

 root injury and keeping v/eeds cut off below the surface are 

 concerned, but are not as efficient as the shovel types in 

 loosening the soil, in working very weedy land, or where there 

 is much coarse manure. On this account, it appears that 

 for general work on the farm a cultivator with three or four 

 moderate-sized shovels on each side, set diagonally so they 

 are not likely to be clogged with weeds or refuse, is the more 

 desirable type of implement for general use. If a combi- 

 nation machine can be had, on which blades for surface 

 cultivation and sets of shovels can be used as desired, a still 

 better implement is available. 



90. Two-Row Cultivators. In recent years, many of 

 the larger corn growers have used the two-row cultivators. 

 These are certainly economical, as where the soil is well 

 prepared and the planting well done, a man can handle such 



