194 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



181. Methods of cutting corn. Corn may be cut 



(1) by hand implements, as with a hoe or corn knife, 



(2) by a sled cutter, or (3) by a corn binder or harvester. 

 The choice between these is chiefly determined by the cost 

 of each method and by the acreage to be cut. Even when 

 the cost of cutting by hand and by machinery is identical, 

 the harvester has the advantage of making the owner less 

 dependent upon hired labor, and of enabling him to do 

 the work promptly and with less exertion. 



182. Cutting corn by hand. The usual implement for 

 cutting corn is a heavy corn or cane knife. Sometimes 



FIG. 93. SHOCKING HORSE. 



6 is a broom handle or gas pipe ; the stalks of corn are leaned in the 

 four angles where it passes through the long board ; after the shock is 

 tied the broom handle is pulled out and the " shocking horse " withdrawn. 



a sharp hoe is used. To form the shocks, one may either 

 use a shocking horse (Fig. 93), or he may form a support 

 for the shock by tying together the tops of plants on four 

 hills, which plants are not cut. The row on which shocks 

 are to be located is usually every tenth or twelfth row. 



