164 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 
rowed and disced just before planting, in that way will kill all weeds 
that have started and this gives the corn an even start with the weeds. 
I use a check-rower planter fitted with furrow openers. These 
throw out a furrow in which the corn is planted. The use of the 
furrow openers insures an even depth of planting, kills all weed 
sprouts in the row and makes it possible to harrow the corn twice after 
it is up without doing it any injury. 
As soon as the corn is tall enough to plow I start plowing and try 
to plow after every rain if possible to prevent the loss of moisture. 
I use six and eight-shovel cultivators in preference to the four shovels. 
I generally plow my corn about four times. I believe that a one- 
horse harrow plow run between the rows after it is too large to straddle 
would increase the yield from three to ten bushels. 
Very truly yours, 
S. W. McPHERSON. 
Minier, Illinois, April 12th, 1913. 
Mr. W. T. Ainsworth, Mason City, Illinois. 
Dear Sir:—A few lines in regard to the preparation of the seed 
bed for corn. 
Our soil is black and heavy, practically level, although rolling 
enough for good drainage. Our stalk ground is practically all plowed 
in the spring, once in a while we plow some in the fall, if cireum- 
stances allow it. We would prefer fall plowing, and think it by far 
the best, on an average, for either land or yield. 
We prefer deep plowing, especially in the fall; seven or eight inches 
on old ground, once in a while, is not too deep. Five inches in sod 
is deep enough. 
We have discarded altogether the raking and burning of stalks. 
We always double disc them with a good sharp disc. 
After plowing we aim to make a dust mulch as much as possible 
by discing, spading and harrowing, also a roller or crusher is very good. 
In order to get this mulch we begin harrowing right after the plow, 
which we find gives the best results. After we have a good seed bed, 
the planter follows and is checked three hy six inches, or three by 
four inches, except what we put up for ensilage, which is drilled thick, 
so as to make good ensilage, as the lighter the stalk the better ensilage. 
After the corn is planted three or four days, or later, it is har- 
rowed. Corn may be harrowed after it is up, provided the ground is 
