150 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 
to burn them. I use the spring-tooth harrow on sod ground for the 
first harrowing, then follow with spike-tooth harrow until I get the 
ground in condition to plant corn. 
The corn is planted two to three inches deep. I like the idea of 
harrowing the corn before it comes up, but I could never get accustomed 
to harrowing after it has once come up. The harrow teeth drag out 
too many hills of corn. 
I don’t think it practical to plow very deep for the first cultiva- 
tion. By the way, I do not think much of deep cultivation at any 
time. I like the shovel cultivator the best of any I have ever tried. 
I always plow my corn at least three times and a fourth cultiva- 
tion is very good if one has the time. Most of the corn in this com- 
munity is fed to hogs with the result that the land is getting more 
fertile each year. 
I shall be very glad to get your book on corn culture. 
Yours truly, 
HERBERT H. HOWARD. 
Oblong, Tlinois, April 15th, 1913. 
W. T. Ainsworth & Sons, Mason City, Illinois. 
Gentlemen:—As I have received a request to give my experience 
in growing corn, I will endeavor to answer as best I can. 
Soil: The soil I am farming at the present time is of the heavy 
kind, such as is most of the land in this section that was timbered 
with water oak hickory and white oak. 
I am located in St. Marie Township, Jasper County, east of St. 
Marie, near the east line. This land is level and not the best for wet 
seasons. 
I do all my plowing in the spring, since fall plowing will pack too 
much and the weeds would start before time to plant. Spring plowing 
is always best for my kind of soil, since it should be dry and not 
have too much rain after plowing. I plow my ground about four to 
six inches deep and aim to leave some of the top soil undisturbed. 
Following corn I always use a stalk cutter and cut the stalks so that 
they do not interfere with cultivation. Plowing stalks under helps keep 
the ground loose below and gives it air. To work ground down I use 
whatever is required to get it in shape and do good work. On ground 
that is rough and uneven I use a drag to level, followed always with 
a harrow, since otherwise it will get weedy before the corn is big 
