CULTIVATING POTATOES. 131 



before planting ; cold, wet weather followed, the corn sprouted 

 slowl}^ and the pigeon grass grew finely and formed a sod. 

 The ground was smooth and I was in a fix, for my drag would 

 not take hold. My first dragging did the mischief, for had the 

 ground been rough, as when left from the plow, I would have 

 had no difficulty. 



IN CULTIVATING POTATOES, 



I never put but two eyes in a place, as surplus of seed only 

 produces small ones. My mode of cultivating is to remove the 

 two front shovels of a riding corn plow, set the hind shovels 

 the desired width, set a stake and mark out, dropping the seed 

 ten or twelve inches apart. I take off the hind shovels, put on the 

 front ones so as to throw the dirt in, and go astride of each row. 

 By this process the row is left high. When the sprouts are 

 approaching the surface, drag crosswise, which leaves the row 

 perfectly clean, and the potatoes, many of them, in sight. 

 In after plowing throw as little earth as will cover the small 

 weeds, to obviate filling up too much and the use of the hoe. 

 Large fields can be cultivated with little hand labor. 



THE BEAN 



I manage in the same way. At time of harvest, pull and throw 

 three rows together ; drive the hay rack between the rows ; the 

 driver stands on front corner of the rack, a pitcher on each side, 

 which saves treading. Rick should be four feet wide , covered 

 with boards or prairie grass. 



MANAGEMENT OF STOCK. 



I have had thirty-six years' experience in managing stock 

 on a prairie farm. I feed a little dry corn to all animals, when 

 on dry feed. In feeding them fresh corn, one hour in the field 

 at first is long enough, then bring them out at a brisk walk 

 to water, if half a mile all the better, and there will be no cry 

 about the "deadly" smut, which, by the by, is perfectly harmless. 



BLACK LEG CAN BE AVOIDED. 



This occurs in the Spring when cattle are turned on gfass 

 too early ; also, in the Fall when cattle are left in the pasture 



