Describes a corn planter, & the jobs of the driver & the "jerker." Neighbor Betsy was accurate corn dropper. Describes dropper wearing sack of seed. Describes checking of the field before planting. Discusses farmers learned that they could cultivate land even when corn was very short & not harm corn. Tells story of borrowing neighbor's harrower & how after harrowing he couldn't see corn, but it was fine. Describes hay-rake. It was speedy, accurate, pulled by 2 horses & much easier than raking by hand. Hay-rakes first were handmade, & later manufactured.
CROPS
Did not hear of alfalfa being grown until around 1910. Describes "inoculation" of alfalfa that was necessary for it to grow properly. Sweet clover grown for green manure. Sweet clover & soybeans also had to be "inoculated". Bert had one of first fields of soybeans. He planted it because "it had promises." Poor soybean yields without inoculation.
FARM ORGANIZATIONS
Around 1910 Farm Bureau established nearby. Local leader "wanted to help." Farm Bureau helped with soybean inoculation.
CROPS
Two types of soybeans, 1 for feed (a flat black bean) & 1 for market (round). Discusses benefits of soybeans as cattle feed. Mentions change from black bean to alfalfa as livestock feed.
