318 Oil Indian Corn, Potatoes, ^t\ 



producing any of those injurious effects, and with half 

 the labour, provided a triangular harrow, with tines 

 and handles, follows, with hand hoers after it, to era- 

 dicate weeds and grass near the plants, and uncover- 

 ing and setting up the plants at the same time. The 

 hoe-harrows should have handles, and be formed to 

 close or expand behind, to suit the cultivation of the 

 plants, in the different stages of their growth, with 

 three triangular hoes, supported by coulters, sharp in 

 front and point, for the smaller sizes, and five for the 

 larger, formed and fixed effectually to cut all the ground 

 to the extent of their spread : if wheels were added, 

 they would ensure any desirable depth, with perfect 

 regularity and ease. 



Although the open texture of a grass lay admits ve- 

 ry early cultivation, after rain it may be too soon done, 

 and cause serious injury. 



If the corn has been planted at right angles, the har- 

 rows should operate, in the first cultivation, through 

 both directions of the field; first lengthwise the 

 ploughing, and progress until the soil is well pulveriz- 

 ed, and the weeds and grass within their reach, entire- 

 ly destroyed. This will leave little for the hand hoers 

 to do, and the field will be properly cultivated. The 

 supernumerary plants must be pulled up, so soon as 

 the seed at the root disappears, but while a vestige of 

 it remains, squirrels will pull up the plants. 



The suckers growing at the joint, in contact with 

 the ground, and the next joint above, should be pulled 

 off so soon and often as they appear in sufficient size 

 to admit the operation. When suffered to become 

 numerous, and large, the nutriment required for their 



