The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-06-14
THE BUSY SEASON IN THE CORN
BELT

THE BUSY SEASON IN THE CORN
BELT
Washington II any one period
should be designated the "busy sea-
son" In the corn belt II is doubtless
the one beginning about June |, and
continuing until after wheat harvest
about July 10. During this period
the labor schedule Of the average corn
belt farm is crowded to the limit by
the most important operations of the
year-the cultivation of corn, making
of alfalfa, clover and mixed hay, and
the harvesting of oats and wheat This
season is now opening in the most
vital year that the agriculture of the
country has knob, and there will.
doubtless be difficulty in meeting the
labor requirements at the more criti-
cal stages.
The Cultivation Of Corn
The Harrow, Weeder and the Ro-
tary Hoe. BY the use of such imple-
ments as the harrow, weeder, and ro-
tary hoe, the labor of cultivation may
be materially reduced. In many in
stances the sprouting corn is gor/
over with one of these implements
two or even three times before cult
walton between the rows, thus keeping
down weeds and putting the surface
soil in excellent filth.
The TwO.rOw CultivatOr. Perhaps
the greatest saving in man labor in
corn cultivation is effected by the use
of the Grow cultivator, which is es-
pecially suited to work on level field
such as predominant throughout the
corn belt. Out of 237 farms visited
in a recent investigation by the United
States Department Of Agriculture, SO
farms reported both 1-row and Grow
cultivators, and on ten of these the
two-row cultivator was used eXclu-
sively. With this implement one man
with three horses may do practically
the work of two men and four horses
with one-row cultivators. With the
one-row cultivator from ten to fifteen
acres. BY the use of one extra horse
and two-row cultivator the efficiency
of each man employed is thus pract-
cally doubled.
Putting Tp Hay
If the cultivation of corn were the
only job to claim attention during this
period the labor situation would be
an easy matter, but before the cult
walton is well under way those who
have alfalfa must quit the the corn,
sometime between June / and 10, to
take care of the first cutting of alfalfa
hay. Glover harvest follows about
June Is to %. This being season
when the weather is often unfavorable
Cor taking care of hay, it is of utmost
importance that rapid methods Of
handling these crops be used not only
to save time for corn cultivation, but
to insure good quality of hay. A
big advantage is gained by having
adequate hay machinery in frst-class
condition.
The Barn Fork and Hay Sling. The
barn fork is indispensable where any
amount of hay is to be handled. Luck
lily in the corn belt most barns are
thus equipped, but the hay sling is
not so common. The use of one Of
these sings, laid fiat on the wagon
rack before loading, saves much time
in cleaning up the last of the load,
which otherwise must be pitched to
the NOW by hand
Side.Deliyery Rake and Hay Leader.
By the use of the side-delivery rake
and hay loader the hay can be cured
mainly in the windrow and then can
be taken up by the loader, thus saving
time and eliminating the labor of
shocking and of pitching by hand. If
it rains, the dindrows can be turned
again by the rake, all hand labor in
turning the hay being thus avoided
A crew of men and s horses, with a
good hay loader and an effective barn
fork and sling properly used, will put
in the barn from to 3 tons of hay
per hour.
The Buck Rake and Hay Stacker.
Perhaps the fastest and most effective
way of handling hay is by the use of
the buck rake and some effective form
of hay stacker. Such a combination
is not often seen in the corn belt, but
where there is any great amount of
hay to be put in stack these tools will
prove OF great value. BY this method
the hay may be shocked or taken d.
rectly from the windrow. in the lat
ter case eliminating the labor Of
shocking, which is very desirable. II
weather conditions are good. Five men
and 6 horses will stack from 2is to
3 tons OF hay per hour with such an
outfit, when handled effectively. There