WORKING THE SOIL 159 



the stake lines on both sides of the field parallel. If 

 the ring stakes are driven accurately on the line, then 

 the first hill of corn must come at the same distance 

 from the line in each row. Likewise in starting back 

 from the far side of the field the first hill should meas- 

 ure exactly the same distance from the stake line as the 

 first hills on the opposite side of the field. This is 

 easily managed by counting the number of trips be- 

 tween the stake line and the first row of corn hills. If 

 the two lines of stakes on the opposite sides of the field 

 are exactly parallel it is not necessary to move either 

 line in order to get the proper distance to start drop- 

 ping, but it must be adjusted by measurement, other- 

 wise the corn hills will be dodged. If the corn hills are 

 to space three feet apart then the first row of hills 

 should come nine or twelve feet from the stake line. 

 Stakes may be measured and set a certain number of 

 inches from the line to make the distance come right. 

 This careful adjustment brings the hills in line in the 

 rows. 



When the field is level or gently sloping +here is no 

 difficulty in making straight rows so far as check row- 

 ing is concerned. When the field is hilly another prob- 

 lem crops up. It is almost impossible to run corn rows 

 along the side of a hill and keep them straight. The 

 planter has a tendency to slide downhill. Also the dis- 

 tance across a field is greater where the rows pass over 

 a hill. To keep the rows straight under such conditions 

 allowance must be made for the stretch over the hill 

 as well as for the side thrust of the planter. Where a 

 chain marker is used it hangs downhill and a further 

 allowance must be made for that. A good driver will 

 skip an inch or so above the mark so that the rows will 

 be planted fairly straight. This means a good deal more 



