302 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



the deeper roots of the corn can go down below the reach of 

 drought. 



3. As soon as the plowing is finished, the land should be heavily 

 rolled and dressed with not less than 200 lbs. of Peruvian guano, 

 300 lbs. of cotton-seed meal, or some equally stimulating manure, 

 and thoroughly harrowed — preferably with Shares harrow. This 

 implement should run lengthwise over the furrows, and the op- 

 eration should be continued until a fine covering not less than two 

 inches deep is secured. 



4. Before the soil has had time to become dry, it should be 

 marked out and planted, either in " drills " or in " hills." If the 

 latter plan is adopted, it will be necessary to wait until the whole 

 field is made ready, so that it may be marked both ways. If the 

 planting is in drills, it may be commenced as soon as a single land 

 — or a few furrows can be harrowed. The more rapidly the 

 planting can be made to follow the plowing, the less time will be 

 allowed for the starting of weeds. 



The hill system of planting, as it allows the crop to be culti- 

 vated by horse-power, in both directions, is much cheaper, and in 

 the absence of an abundant supply of labor, it is undoubtedly the 

 best ; but if the help can be procured for the extra work of plant- 

 ing in drills, and for the greater amount of hoeing that will be 

 necessary when the cultivator can be worked in but one direction, 

 the extra production of grain, — and especially of fodder — will 

 amply repay it. In drill planting, it will be easier (and equally 

 good) to drop three seeds in a place, at intervals of two feet, than 

 to drop single seeds at intervals of eight inches, and the hoeing 

 of the crop will take much less time. 



The seed should not be covered more than one inch deep. 

 This will be enough to protect it against too much drying, and it 

 is important that it be within the influence of the sun's heat. 

 After the planting is finished, it will be well to give the whole 

 field a light rolling to compact the earth about the seed, and to 

 make the surface so even as to render the subsequent work of 

 cultivation lighter. 



As soon as the rows can be distinctly seen, the work of culti- 



