168 COBN CROPS 



the surface, a roller or a smoothing harrow, or both, may- 

 be used. 



Clearing of weeds is important in preparation. One 

 principal advantage of early plowing is that more weeds 

 may be germinated and destroyed before planting. While 

 weeds are germinating rapidly, it is often an advantage to 

 delay planting until the land can be entirely cleared, as it is 

 much easier to destroy weeds before planting than after- 

 ward. 



To sum up, it is important to plow the land when in 

 just the right tilth for plowing, to pulverize thoroughly 

 to repack when the seed-bed is loose, and to destroy weeds 

 before planting. 



PLANTING THE SEED 

 METHODS 



117. (1) The seed may be " surface" planted, the land 

 being prepared level and the seed planted in rows 1 to 3 



Fig. 44. — Combined lister plow and drill. 



inches below the surface. (2) The planter may have a 

 furrow opener, usually a pair of disks which open up a 

 shallow furrow, the seed being planted in the bottom of 

 this. (3) A lister may be used, which is essentially a 

 double-moldboard plow throwing a furrow slice each way. 

 The land is furrowed as deep as possible with the Uster, 

 the corn being planted in the bottom. 



