78 



FIELD CROPS 



stalks, leaving the stalks in the field to be pastured off by 

 stock or to be cut up and plowed under. Corn is usually 

 picked by hand. One man uses a team and wagon with high 

 ''throw board" on one side of the wagon box; the team- is 

 driven through the field astride one row, and the man picks 



Figure 29. — The corn picker, a machine for gathering the ears from standing 

 corn. Not yet in general use. 



the two rows at the side of the wagon, the team stepping 

 ahead slowly as the husking progresses. The high board 

 on the opposite side of the wagon aids the husker in striking 

 the box. From these wagons the corn is shoveled into 

 cribs, where it is stored until used. In the South, the ears 

 are simply snapped from the stalks, the husks being left on 

 to protect the grain from insects. 



During the last few years, machine pickers have been 

 invented and are now in use to some extent. These machines 

 must be driven over each row of corn; a set of rolls pulls off 

 the ears and takes off the husks; the husked ears are then 

 elevated into a wagon which is driven beside the husker as it 



