164 



TILTH AND TILLAGE 



The spring-tooth gang cultivator (Fig. 108-A) is a very effective 

 tool and it can be used under varied conditions, though in the 

 heavier soils cultivators with rigid teeth do better work as a rule. 



The surface cultivator gives good results in loamy soils and 

 when they are comparatively dry (Fig. 108-C). In soils free from 

 stones the blades may be sharpened to cut such weeds as thistles, 

 quack grass, etc. When soils are comparatively moist, this machine 

 does not stir the soil sufficiently to cover and kill small weeds, 

 because the soil simply slides over the blades and the tiny weeds 

 are but little disturbed. 



FIG. 107. A two-row riding cultivator. 



The disk cultivator is quite commonly used in some localities. 

 They do not seem to meet with general favor, though many were 

 purchased when they first appeared on the market (Fig. 108-B). 

 This type of cultivator is looked upon by some as a fad. 



Lister cultivators are made especially for listed corn for first 

 cultivation (Fig. 108-D) . The ordinary two-horse, shoveled culti- 

 vator is used for the later cultivating. 



Many styles of walking cultivators are in use (Figs. 109 and 

 110). In some sections these are generally used, while in others 

 the common walking type is used when corn becomes too high for 

 the sulky. Walking cultivators are especially favored by gardeners. 



When to Cultivate. The best time to kill weeds is when they 

 are small or when the seeds are germinating. In order to do this 



