166 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



Seldom should the soil be rolled, except when very dry. Under these condi- 

 tions it brings the moisture nearer the surface and helps to germinate newly 

 planted seed. The roller is most frequently used in preparing the soil for 

 seeding winter wheat. Rollers of large diameter compact the surface soil 

 without much pulverizing effect. Those of smaller diameter have more 

 pulverizing effect. 



The drag or planker is a cheap implement, usually home-made. It 

 is generally constructed of four 8 or 10-inch planks. These are fastened 

 together with two or three cross pieces, to which the planks are securely 

 nailed or bolted in such a way that one plank overlaps the next about 

 one inch. The width may vary from eight to twelve feet. Such a drag 

 requires two or three horses, depending on length. For light work it 

 may be loaded with stones or bags of earth. For heavier work the 

 operator may ride upon it. The drag pulverizes the surface soil, fills 



up depressions and levels the 

 surface. It is most effective 

 when the surface soil is rather 

 dry. 



Cultivators. There are 

 numerous forms of cultivators 

 requiring from one to four 

 horses, depending on size. 

 These are used for many of 

 the truck crops, for orchards 

 and for general farm intertilled 

 crops such as corn, cotton, 

 A HOME-MADE FLANKER. * cane> potatoes, etc. Cultiva- 



tors are made both for riding 



and walking. The number and form of the shovels are determined by 

 the crop to be cultivated and the character of the soil. The size and 

 prevalence of weeds and grass are also determining factors. The large 

 single and double shovels formerly used have largely given place to 

 smaller shovels, disks and sweeps. The small shovels and sweeps are 

 designed for shallow tillage, and are extensively used for both corn and 

 cotton. Such cultivators do little damage to the roots of the crop, make 

 an effective soil mulch, and, if used in the nick of time, destroy all small 

 weeds. 



The disk cultivator is better suited for larger weeds and for throw- 

 ing the earth either to or from the plants. 



Numerous forms of hand cultivators are available for garden work. 

 There are also several forms of one-horse cultivators extensively used on 

 truck farms. 



The weeder consists of numerous flexible teeth and is designed to 

 break the soil crust and destroy very small weeds when the plants to be 



1 Courtesy of Orauge-Judd Company, N. Y. From "Soils and Crops," by Hunt and Burkett. 



