The pass exposes roots of fall growing weeds such as quackgrass and field bindweed to winter s wrath. He makes a second fall pass if weeds begin to regrow, or if quackgrass is a problem. To stimulate weed growth, he harrows in late April as soon as soil dries out. He controls the subsequent weed flush with a field cultivator outfitted with 9-inch sweeps. He makes a second pass if weed pressure is heavy and if he can delay planting.
Planting is also a weeding pass.
A favorite tool is his Morris Seed-Rite hoe drill. The turning rod firms in the seed, leaves a fluffy dust mulch, and spins up any weeds to dry out on top. The drill is a good load for his Case 1070, a tractor with 108 hp. But he s quick to admit that the newer air drills that most farmers of the area use are easier to transport, easier to load, much faster and have much larger seed tanks. I need the fast emergence and extra weeding action I get with the Seed-Rite.