IRRIGATION OF FIELD CROPS. 223 



three or four feet apart, run the water through deep 

 furrows, then level the ridges down and with a disc 

 harrow stir the soil perfectly and cut it fine. Then 

 when it is completely level plant with a double-row 

 corn planter. A single one will answer, of course, but 

 the better is the double-row planter with the check- 

 row attachment, letting a boy work the handles as fast 

 as he can conveniently, so as to drop four or five seeds 

 in a place, and not more than eighteen or twenty inches 

 apart in the rows. The planters make the rows three 

 feet eight inches apart, which is convenient for culti- 

 vation. The disc harrow which is used for ridging 

 and cultivating is perhaps one of the best cultivators, 

 although any cultivator which can be used for corn 

 will serve the purpose. The ground being well watered 

 before planting, the seed should germinate and make 

 a growth of at least eight or ten inches before any cul- 

 tivation is needed. Then throw a slight ridge, or, 

 with the disc set to leave a good center furrow, throw 

 a ridge on either side of the corn, but not letting it 

 bury the corn. Leave it with this cultivation until it 

 is eighteen inches high, without further watering. 

 Then in the furrows which have been made by the cul- 

 tivator give the ground a thorough soaking, and as 

 soon as possible afterward go through with the culti- 

 vators. Then there is no objection to hilling the plant 

 somewhat. This will be the only cultivation necessary 

 to complete the growth of the crop. If planted before 

 the first of May, it ought to be ready for harvesting 

 in August. After the corn has been removed, another 

 thorough watering between the rows will put the 

 ground in excellent condition for another cultivation. 



