CULTIVATION 49 



Plot II. During the growing season for fourteen times, 

 or nearly every third day on an average, this plot received cul- 

 tivation. The "Planet, Jr." cultivator was used and adjusted 

 in this wise: on the two rear shovels a stick, two inches wide 

 by three fourths of an inch thick and three inches shorter than 

 the row, was attached. This left an inch and a half on each 

 side between the end of the stick and the row of corn as the 

 cultivator was drawn through. The soil rolled around the 

 €nd of the stick as far as the corn, which produced the effect 

 of fresh soil over the entire surface. The wheel at the front 

 of the cultivator and the stick at the rear gave level and shal- 

 low cultivation. 



Plot III. On this plot was hauled old swamp hay, which 

 was carefully spread over the entire surface of the soil. This 

 mulch averaged about three inches in thickness. No further 

 attention was given to this plot during the remainder of the 

 season. The mulch proved insufficient to keep all weeds 

 down. 



. Plot TV. This plot received practically the same cultiva- 

 tion as Plot II, except that the cultivator was used but five 

 times, where in the other it had been used fourteen. The 

 stick was attached in the same way as for the second plot. 

 Weeds were more aggressive on this plot because of the less 

 frequent cultivations. 



Plot V. The ^'Planet, Jr.*^ cultivator was used on this 

 plot, but the stick had been removed, the wheel in front raised, 

 and the shovels were forced in as deeply as possible to put 

 them. The depth was from four to five inches. In cultivat- 

 ing deep this way, the soil was ripped up, some roots were torn 

 out, and the surface was ragged and ridged in a very broken 

 way. However, the cultivation given was very similar to that 

 practiced by hundreds of farmers in this state. 



GEOUP DIVISIONS OF PLOTS 



The corn was not fully matured when cut, but frost had 

 come and we could wait no longer. Then, too, we were obliged 

 to husk and weigh the corn before it was fully air-dried. This, 



