Campbell's 1902 Soil Culture Manual. 



49 



each rain as in the cultivation of other crops, watching the condition very 

 closely in order that you may catch the ground just when slightly moist 

 before the crust has begun to form. This does away with the weed cut- 

 ting idea. On the Model Farm we continued with the weeder, using no 

 other tool, until the suckers were well out. Then with the old style four 

 shovel cultivator the soil can be thrown in and then harrowed cross- wise. 

 Here again in this cross harrowing the weeder puts in good work, as it 

 thoroughly pulverizes the surface if you catch the ground in the proper 

 condition and does not injure the corn. After this your ground is practi- 

 cally level, and can be cultivated in the same manner you would cultivate 

 check row corn, or surface planted. At the Pomeroy Model Farm the 

 weeder was used exclusively until the corn was fully fifteen inches high. 



CHECK ROW PLANTING. 



In planting with the check row planter it is important to plow the 

 ground as early as possible. Here again, the early discing comes in with 

 its all important results to prevent the evaporation, holding your ground 

 in perfect condition for rapid percolation of the later rains. This is advis- 

 able because you can get onto your ground with the disc when at a proper 

 depth to plow it would be too wet. Then again, you can cover the field 

 quicker if you have a broad gauged disc than with the plow. It also en- 

 ables you to get your soil in much better physical condition, than would be 

 possible if the ground was allowed to dry out. The plowing should be fol- 

 lowed up soon after, but remember this point, if you have been particu- 

 larly persistent in preventing this evaporation by the discing, your ground 

 is in perfect condition to plow, even though you have considerable dry 

 weather later on in the spring. The soil will roll up in a moist condition, 

 and is susceptible to the best results with the packer or any other tool. 

 Follow the plow closely with the packer, at least every noon and night, if 

 you have one. If not, then use the harrow in the same persistent manner, 

 but do not plow as deep by at least tw^o or three inches if vou have no 

 packer. Five inches is amply deep to be properly worked down with the 

 harrow. After your ground is turned over and the necessary work done 

 to pulverize the surface, watch closely the condition. Whenever any rain 

 of any magnitude comes, even though it only wets through the mulch or 

 loose soil on top, it is necessary to immediately stir it to dry it out. 



The importance of quick work after the surface has been moistened, 

 even by a slight rain, is shown in the result of the experiment by Prof. 

 King with reference to wetting the surface as quoted under the heading of 

 cultivation. In the use of the check row planter the difference in the time 

 of germination, the rapidity of the growth of the young plant in ground 

 prepared as outlined under the heading of plowing and subpacking, as 

 compared with corn put into ground in the ordinary manner of fitting is 



