268 LESSONS IN AGK1CULTUKE 



work well after the first time over and enable one man 

 to handle at least half as much more land. 



The cultivator. The problem of cultivating a corn- 

 field several hundred acres in extent, such as is found 

 in many of the great corn growing regions of the prairie 

 states, has been greatly simplified since the two row 

 cultivator came into use. With the perfect working 

 corn planters now in the market the row of corn may 

 be made so straight that the two row cultivator can be 

 used without difficulty. This has brought about a facil- 

 ity of cultivation which has added largely to the yield 

 in many parts of the country. Before the coming of 

 the double row cultivator there was danger that much 

 of the land of the western portion of the belt would 

 become too weedy for corn culture. 



Reasons for cultivation. Corn is a crop that needs 

 constant cultivation, and during the growing season 

 should be cultivated at least four times. This cultiva- 

 tion is for three reasons: 



1. To destroy weeds that use up the plant food and 

 water. 



2. To provide a soil mulch to prevent evaporation. 



3. Because tillage is a fertilizer. Constant stirring 

 of the soil allows the air to circulate through it, and 

 provides available plant food. 



Corn is king. Corn is king of the cereals, and the 

 most important crop of American agriculture. It is 

 the backbone of farming in this country. The white 

 man learned the value of this cereal from the Indians, 



