124 



FARM CROPS 



small ear can be planted much more thickly than 

 corn with large stalks, a great abundance of leaves 

 and large ears. Some people like to drill corn, 

 but most think it is absolutely necessary to check 

 it in order to give the corn the best cultivation and 

 keep the land free from weeds. 



Begin early so as not to allow the weeds to get 

 a start. A smoothing harrow or any of the numer- 

 ous weeders now on 

 the market are excel- 

 lent for early cultiva- 

 tion. If a heavy rain 

 comes directly after 

 planting, go over the 

 field with a harrow or 

 weeder just as soon as 

 the surface becomes 

 crusted. This weeder 

 can be used until the 

 corn is 3 or 4 inches 

 high, going over the 

 field as often as neces- 

 sary. It is much bet- 

 ter to spend a good 

 deal of time on early 

 cultivation than to wait 

 until the weeds get a 

 start, or until the rapid growth of the corn is checked 

 by a caked surface. When the weeder can no longer 

 be used, take an ordinary two-horse cultivator, with 

 three or four shovels on each shank, and cultivate 

 about 2 inches deep, quite close to the plant. 



By examining the root system of corn, you will 

 find that the roots of the young plant do not extend 

 over the entire surface at the earlier stages and the 



SHOCKING CORN 



Most corn is carried from the 

 row to the shock in a haphazard 

 manner. To save steps is an in- 

 cident seldom considered. Dif- 

 ferent plans are used by cutters; 

 the one here shows how the work 

 can be very advantageously done. 



