166 SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



harrows (Fig. 85) are used by the best farmers to pulverize the 

 clods after plowing. 



Partial preparation. Two methods of preparation deserve 

 notice here, both involving the performing of only a part of the 

 work before planting. Much of the corn in the limestone prairie 

 region of Alabama and Mississippi is planted by making a list, 

 or slight ridge, with two turn-plow furrows thrown on the seed 

 dropped in the old water-furrow. Then the ridge is completed by 

 throwing two or more additional furrows of a turn-plow against 

 this "list." This method places the seed deeper in the ground 

 than is probably advisable in such stiff soils but gives opportunity 

 for a practice not yet in common use in that region, namely, the 

 partial pulling down of the ridges and the cultivation of the field 

 by using the spike-tooth harrow before the corn comes up. 



Another system of partial or deferred preparation is practiced 

 to some extent in the sandy or hilly region. A deep furrow is 

 opened, in which the seed and fertilizer are placed ; then a fur- 

 row on each side is thrown toward the seed, the greater part of the 

 land remaining unbroken until cultivation begins. The combined 

 breaking and cultivation is done gradually with a small, deep- 

 running plow or shovel. This is obviously a laborious method, 

 requiring the use of small, unsatisfactory implements. Its chief 

 excuse is the occasional occurrence of continued wet weather at a 

 time when land for corn should be prepared. 



156. Planting. Much corn is still dropped by hand, 

 and in this case it may be covered by any kind of a plow. 

 Much is planted by one-horse or single-row planters 

 (Fig. 82), with which fertilizer distributors are often com- 

 bined. The use of check-rowers (two-row planters) is 

 restricted in the South to a rather limited number of 

 localities where the land is comparatively level. Planters 

 save labor, usually afford a more even and prompt 

 germination, and leave the young plants in straighter 

 lines, thus making tillage easier. 



