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after planting should never be practiced, since much of the seed 
becomes ruined, and feeble growth takes place, which can seldom if 
ever be overcome by cultivation. 
It is my opinion that an improvement in planters is desirable 
to meet our conditions of soil. The ordinary style of two-liorse 
planter with wide wheels, such as is used in the soft soils of other 
states, does not seem to be just what is wanted here. Wheels for 
our use should be made with narrower tires, similar to those of 
press seed-drills, for making the seed-bed more firm. Since we 
plant corn to a greater depth than is done in moister climates, wide 
tires do not accomplish the desired purpose of making the soil com¬ 
pact over the seed. 
Usually two waterings are sufficient during the growth of a 
crop, and often one irrigation is preferable. If soil contains sufficient 
moisture in the spring to start the crop to a thrifty growing condi¬ 
tion, and growth seems not to be retarded for the want of moisture, 
watering can be delayed until the tassels begin to appear, at which 
time drouth would cause great injury to the crop. The harrow is 
the best cultivator for corn until it has attained an average height 
of at least six inches. Continuous surface cultivation saves moisture, 
and cross-plowing with a two-horse cultivator, work in both 
directions, is the least that should be done. 
The mistake is often made in the use of a large head of water 
while irrigating, and in attempting to get it properly distributed 
over large areas and through long rows. Much of the land thus 
watered becomes too wet, while other portions receive an insufficient 
supply. In either case the best results can not be expected. An¬ 
other very serious objection to irrigating with a very large head of 
water is, that the water contains much insoluble earthy matter 
which is ever being deposited as sediment. Water-ways become 
coated and moisture fails to penetrate to the roots of plants along 
their course. To irrigate properly, furrows must be well made and 
as nearly free of obstructions as careful methods will, permit. The 
slope of the land will determine the distance it is practicable to run 
water for uniform results. No greater quantity should be turned 
into each furrow than will flow with uniform rate. Seepage is slow 
at best, and it usually takes many hours to secure the proper 
amount of moisture to the soil to prove of lasting benefit. Some 
may disagree with the statement that seepage is more effectual and 
rapid from a small head of water than from a heavy flow. The 
reason is that water from the Arkansas river is nearly always thick 
with earthy matter, and the amount of deposit decreases w ith the 
volume. We have tested this thoroughly in the garden as well as 
in the field. It has been found advisable, while irrigating, to ex¬ 
pose the smallest amount of surface possible to the flow of watei, 
and thus protect the porous condition of the soil. Another expen- 
