Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-18
Iowa Farm News and Notes

II any one period should be desig-
mated the "busy season" in the corn belt
1t is doubtless the ono beginning about
June /. and continuing until after
wheat harvest ab,u, July 10. During
this period the iao>. schedule OF the
average corn-belt farm is crowded 70
the limit by the most imp )r:ant orer-
atoms Of the year-the cultivation or
corn. making Of alfalfa, clover and
mixed hay. and tn: harves;in; Of oats
and wheat This season Is now opening
in the most vital year that the agri-
culture Of the country has known. and
there will doubtless % difficulty in
meeting the labor require ncnts ut the
more critical stages.
The Cultivation Of Corn.
BY the use Of such implements as the
harrow weeder. and rotary hoe, the
labor Of cultivation may be materially
reduced. In many instances the
sprouting corn Is goine over with one
Of these implements two or even three
times before cultivation between the
rows, thus keeping down weeds and
putting the surface soil in excellent
filth.
Perhaps the greatest saving in man
labor in corn cultivation Is effected by
the use Of the two-row cultirator which
is especially suited to work on level
fields such as predominant turnout the
corn belt. Out of 237 farms visited III
recent investigation by the United
States department OF agriculture.
thirty-three farms reported both one
row and two-row cultivators, and on
ten of these the two-row cultivator vas
used exclusively. 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 onerow cultivator. man can
cover from five to eight acres per day;
with the two-row cultivator from ten
to fteen acres. BY the use Of one ex-
ira horse and a two-row cultivator the
efficiency of each man employed is thus
practically doubled.
Putting Up Hay.
II 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 cultivation
is well under way those who have all
alta must quit the corn. sometime be-
tween June ! and 10. to take care OF
the first cutting Of alalfa hay. Clover
harvest follows about June Is and %.
This being a season when the weather
is often unfavorable for taking care Of
hay. it is OF utmost importance that
rapid methods of handling these crops
he used. not only TO save time Tor corn
cultivation, but to insure a good quality
of hay. A big advantage is gained by
having adequate hay machinery in first
class condition.
The barn fork is indispens sable where
any amount of hay Is to be handled.
Luckily 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 be-
fore loading. saves much time in clean
ing up the last of the load. which other
wise must be pitched to the NOW by
hand.
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 If
shocking and OF pitching by hand. If
1t rains, the windrows can be turned
again by the rake. all hand labor in
turning theahaysbeing3 thus avoided. A
crew OF skinner and eight horses, with
good hay loader and an effective barn