142 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 
We plant with a check-rower planter three feet four inches each 
way. When three to four inches high the corn is cultivated about 
three inches deep. 
The small shovels are used for the first two plowings and for the 
later cultivating the surface cultivator. The last plowing is not over 
two inches deep. We cultivate from three to four times, depending 
on the season. The corn is plowed until it is so tall it breaks badly. 
If the season is dry we drag between the rows with a planter wheel, 
single harrow or one-horse cultivator. 
: Respectfully yours, 
JOSEPH COMBS. 
P. S.—We are experimenting with alfalfa in a small way. 
Weldon, Illinois, April 28th, 1913. 
-W. T. Ainsworth & Sons, Mason City, Illinois. 
Gentlemen :—Our soil, a deep, retentive loam, is heavy and level. All 
stalks are of necessity plowed in the spring. 
I do not believe in burning stalks. The soil needs all the humus 
that can be put back on it. Turning stalks under helps to keep the 
ground loose. 
In working plowed ground down, we use the spike tooth harrow 
and disc. All ground plowed the day before is harrowed down the 
next morning. 
The corn is planted with a check rower planter and is checked 
three feet six inches one way and three feet four inches the other. 
The corn is always harrowed before it comes up and after if it is 
necessary to kill the weeds. 
I start cultivating the corn when it is about four inches tall. 
Surface cultivators are used altogether, and they are run just deep 
enough to cut off and cover all weeds. We cultivate from three to 
four times and lay by when the corn is from three to four feet tall. 
In preparing the seed bed I use an iron corrugated roller to ad- 
vantage if there are many clods. I consider the corrugated roller one 
of the best implements on the farm. 
Very respectfully yours, 
S. MILLER. 
