166 SOUTHERN FIELD CBOPS 



harrows (Pig. 85) are used by the best farmers to pulverize the 

 clods after plowing. 



Partial preparation. — Two methods of preparation deserve 

 notice here, both involving the performing of only a part of the 

 work before planting. Much of the corn in the limestone prairie 

 region of Alabama and Mississippi is planted by making a list, 

 or sUght ridge, with two turn-plow furrows thrown on the seed 

 dropped in the old water-furrow. Then the ridge is completed by 

 throwing two or more additional furrows of a turn-plow against 

 this "list." This method places the seed deeper in the ground 

 than is probably advisable in such stiff soUs but gives opportunity 

 for a practice not yet in common use in that region, namely, the 

 partial pulling down of the ridges and the cultivation of the field 

 by using the spike-tooth harrow before the corn comes up. 



Another system of partial or deferred preparation is practiced 

 to some extent in the sandy or hilly region. A deep furrow is 

 opened, in which the seed and fertilizer are placed ; then a fur- 

 row on each side is thrown toward the seed, the greater part of the 

 land remaining unbroken until cultivation begins. The combined 

 breaking and cultivation is done gradually with a small, deep- 

 running plow or shovel. This is obviously a laborious method, 

 requiring the use of small, unsatisfactory implements. Its chief 

 excuse is the occasional occurrence of continued wet weather at a 

 time when land for corn should be prepared. 



156. Planting. — Much corn is still dropped by hand, 

 and in this case it may be covered by any kind of a plow. 

 Much is planted by one-horse or single-row planters 

 (Fig. 82), with which fertilizer distributors are often com- 

 bined. The use of check-rowers (two-row planters) is 

 restricted in the South to a rather limited nmnber of 

 locahties where the land is comparatively level. Planters 

 save labor, usually afford a more even and prompt 

 germination, and leave the young plants in straighter 

 lines, thus making tillage easier. 



