80 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



called "smoothers." These are made in many forms. 

 A cheap and effective form is made by fastening two 

 or three planks together, preferably with some dis- 

 tance between them, and dragging them, broadside, 

 over the surface. For leveling the surface and pul- 

 verizing clods such an implement is often better than 

 either harrow or roller. 



Tillage During Crop Orowth. — The state- 

 ment that a large part of the cultivation of a crop 

 should be done before it is planted, and that of the rest 

 a considerable part before the crop has started to 

 grow, may seem extravagant, but it suggests a truth — 

 that many farmers do not prepare the ground suffi- 

 ciently before sowing or planting the crops. As a 

 rule the only cultivation soil designed for small 

 grains, grass or clover receives is that given before 

 sowing the seed. These crops may be lightly har- 

 rowed in the spring with possible benefit, but the 

 practice is not a general one. For the cultivated 

 crops, as Indian corn, work in pulverizing the soil and 

 destroying weeds can often be done to better advan- 

 tage before planting than afterwards. 



One chief object in cultivating the soil while a crop 

 is growing is to prevent the growth of weeds. The 

 best time to kill a plant is soon after it has commenced 

 its growth. A weed or grain seed will withstand 

 much rough treatment without apparent injury. A 

 plant when- well established, may lose much of its 

 roots or top and yet live. A slight disturbance will 

 usually kill a plant just starting to grow. Harrowing 

 or otherwise stirring the surface after the crop has 

 been planted will often kill many weeds just starting, 

 without injuring the deeper covered seed of the crop. 



