ROTATING CROPS — MACHINERY. 499 



of great advantage to our level lands, and will be used as fast 

 as possible, its cost being the principal drawback. Three inch 

 tile costs from eighteen to twenty-two dollar per thousand, 

 and twenty-five cents per rod for putting in three feet deep. 



ROTATING CROPS 



My farming is what would be called mixed farming, corn 

 being the leading crop. Wiieat is not raised extensively for 

 market. 



Experience has proved that it is best to rotate the crops, 

 and as we raise more corn than small grain, we put in two 

 crops of corn and one of small grain. 



A DESTRUCTIVE WORM. 



There is a small worm or maggot that works in among 

 the corn, eating off the small roots, and sometimes destroying 

 the Avhole field. Sowing to small grain has a tendency to 

 destroy them. 



PREPARING THE SOIL. 



No artificial manures are used, but all that is made is. 

 carefully saved and put on the land. This, with an occa- 

 sional grassing, keeps tlie land productive. The best crop 

 of corn 1 have ever raised was on pasture sod, although I have 

 raised nearly as good on meadow sod. My plan is to break my 

 sod as early as possible in the Spring, break it deep, and turn 

 the sod without breaking it, lapping it a little. Then harrow 

 thoroughly once a week till planting time. I have raised 

 seventy bushels per acre in this way, by simply cultivating the- 

 corn twice after planting. 



MACHINERY. 



I use the sulky plow considerably. It does its work in a- 

 superior manner, but the extra amount of team required is an 

 objection. I use the two horse walking cultivator with wheels, 

 exclusively. For harvesting machines, the combined machines 

 meet with most favor at my hands, the Champion and Buck- 



