covers the mark made by the planter, a matter of importance where 

 squirrels and gophers abound. 



If there is rain soon after the corn is planted, and subsequently the 

 surface becomes baked, a peg-tooth harrow should be used; otherwise 

 the plants cannot break through. The teeth should be set slanting to 

 prevent running deep enough to disturb the grains of corn. 



As soon as the corn leaf begins to break through the surface, the 

 harrow should be used again, and repeated often enough to keep the 

 surface in good condition until the stem has made a growth of from three 

 to four inches. By pursuing this course, all weeds are destroyed and a 

 mulch is maintained which prevents the evaporation of moisture. A 

 spring-tooth weeder does even better work than the harrow in removing 

 weeds in the hill. 



An Excellent Tool for Shallow Cultivation of Com 



After the harrow has done its work, then the cultivator should be 

 used. At this time the roots are not extensive; hence, the shovels can 

 be run deep and reasonably close to the hill. This operation stirs the 

 soil, admitting atmospheric oxygen, and the stirring and mixing process 

 tends to bring plant food elements together, making them available. 



After the first operations, subsequent cultivations should be shallow. 

 This rule does not hold good under all conditions. If heavy and pro- 

 tracted rains occur soon after the corn is up, or after the first cultivation, 

 the ground is apt to become very hard, soggy, sour and cold. To relieve 

 such a condition, the shovels should again be run deep, even at the risk 

 of cutting roots. 



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