be: 1. Plowing and planting at the regular time,

be:

1. Plowing and planting at the regular time, but eliminating one or more field operations. It may involve a reduction in the number of operations performed in seedbed preparation or it may involve a reduction in the number of cultivations with the use of herbicides. Research has shown that 2 lbs. of 80W atrazine (1.6 lbs. active ingredient) has proven very effective in the control of weeds. Depending on the soil and weather conditions, all cultivations may be eliminated with the use of herbicides.

2. Plow and wheel-tract plant in two operations. This system requires clean, uniform plowing with good coverage of all crop residue. An effective herbicide (2 lbs. 80W atrazine, 1.6 lbs. active ingredient, or equivalent) is recommended for weed control. Fertilizer may be broadcast before plowing. Early research indicated that plowing should be delayed until just before planting. More recent results indicate that plowing may be done at the regular time with good results on some soils, especially the coarser textured ones. Unit-type plants mounted on either a tool-bar or cultivator frame directly behind the tractor wheels may be used.

| However, it is important that the tractor wheels be spaced to correspond with the desired row spacing. It is pos. sible to bring in the wheels close enough on a few of the small tractors. For most tractors, the wheels should be spaced at double the row spacing and one of the planted rows straddled on the return trip. With a tricycle tractor, three unit planters may be used with a planter behind each of the rear wheels And one behind the front wheels. A conventional sprayer may be mounted on the planter to spray the row with a herbicide immediately following planting. In case full control of weeds is not obtained with a herbicide, or if the middles are too rough, it may be desirable to cultivate once about lay-by time.