WORKING THE SOIL 161 



they go along, provided the drill register is correct. It 

 is better to provide a check on the drill indicator. Have 

 the 'field measured, then drive stakes along one side, 

 indicating one acre, five acres and ten acres. When 

 the one-acre stake is reached the operator can estimate 

 very closely whether the drill is using more or less 

 seed than the indicator registers. When the five-acre 

 stake is reached another proof is available, and so on 

 across the field. Next in importance to the proper 

 working of the drill is straight rows. The only way to 

 avoid gaps is to drive straight. The only way to drive 

 straight is to sight over the wheel that follows the last 

 drill mark. Farmers sometimes like to ride on the 

 grain drill, which places the wheel sighting proposition 

 out of the question. A harrow cart may be hitched be- 

 hind the wheel of the grain drill, but it gives a side 

 draft. The only way to have straight rows and thor- 

 ough work is to walk behind the end of the drill. This 

 is the proper way to use a drill, anyway, because a tooth 

 may clog up any minute. Unless the operator is walk- 

 ing behind the drill he is not in position to see quickly 

 whether every tooth is working properly or not. It is 

 hard work to follow a drill all day long, but it pays at 

 harvest time. It costs just as much to raise a crop of 

 grain that only covers part of the ground, and it seems 

 too bad to miss the highest possible percentage to save 

 a little hard work at planting time. 



SPECIAL CROP MACHINERY 



Special crops require special implements. After 

 they are provided, the equipment must be kept busy 

 in order to make it pay. If a farmer produces five 

 acres of potatoes he needs a potato cutter, a planter, a 

 riding cultivator, a sprayer that works under high 



