CORN LETTERS FROM THIRTY FARMERS 168 
as we have no cutter. The stalk ground is always plowed last, for the 
reason that it does not get tough like sod, and usually does not get dry 
so early in the season. 
We use a common spike-tooth harrow and drag made of four-by-four’s 
set on edge. These are started just as soon as the ground has been 
plowed. If it is pretty well beaten down by rain, a spring-tooth harrow 
is about the best thing to loosen it with; then follow with the spike- 
tooth to level the ground. I never put any work on early plowed ground 
until I am ready to plant, and then I keep the planter as close behind 
the harrow as possible. 
We find that a good clover sod with hogs fed on it, and manure 
scattered over it will come as near raising one hundred bushels of 
corn to the acre in any kind of weather as anything we have ever tried. 
W. H. MORGAN. 
Stanberry, Missouri, May 2nd, 1913. 
W. T. Ainsworth & Sons, Mason City, Illinois. 
Dear Sirs:—The soil in the northwest part of Gentry County is a 
light, black loam and is somewhat rolling. 
In regard to the time of year to plow I will say that I prefer fall 
plowing when it can be done. In the first place it is done at a slack 
time of the year and can be put in good shape for planting in the 
spring with very little work. Again, it holds the moisture better than 
spring plowed ground. If I plow in the spring I like to double disc 
the ground. This will answer for a stalk eutter and at the same time 
pulverize the soil on top which makes it much easier to plow and makes 
a good loose bed for the corn. I use a dise frequently and consider 
it one of the most useful pieces of machinery on the farm as it can 
be used for so many different purposes. 
A great many people rake up the corn stalks and burn them. I do 
not think this should ever be done. Corn stalks should always be 
plowed under and all other manure that can be obtained. The stalks 
when plowed under will help to keep the ground loose. 
After giving the ground a good double discing with a good sharp 
dise I go to it with a gang plow. A harrow should always follow 
the plow. The ground should not lay long, especially if very dry, 
as it will not pulverize readily when allowed to get too dry after plow- 
ing. The harrow also levels the ground making a loose bed on top 
to hold the moisture. When ground is plowed early it should be har- 
