"In the South they plow corn in July to hold up the stalk through heavy winds and rains; but that leaves the land in bad shape for the following tillage. I like to use a fluke harrow and cultivate deep. Tear right through the small roots and rip them apart. That more than doubles the root-system and finally gives the plant a hold on the soil that will enable it to stand up under almost any kind of blow and rain."
"Shallow and frequent cultivation seems to be the rule around here," Orrin remarked.
"Yes. And Mr. Turner tells me that only year before last he lost fifteen acres in one piece by the corn being knocked down in a big wind and hail storm just as it was silking. However, our cultivating is going awfully slow. I don't know but I shall have to get Mr. Bronson to furnish one of those three-horse hoes for next year, if I am really going to make a corn crop."
This conversation was carried on while Hiram and Orrin were driving over to the pasture behind Jerry, and carrying with them a tub of salt for the cattle. Salting the cattle is always a Sunday job on the farm; but as a usual thing Hiram went to church before going to the pasture.
They had got up too late on the morning after the tornado, however, to drive to the church service. It was only high noon when they came to the pasture gate.
"I don't see that spotted yearling," Orrin said, as he climbed down to open the gate and the herd began to turn toward them. "He's usually right at the head of the bunch."
"That red one with the crooked horn is missing, too," Hiram said, "I am afraid something has happened, Orrin."
"Oh, they've just strayed away," said Post cheerfully. "Don't be worried."
However, after the herd had come up and been counted and they found that four were missing, even Orrin acknowledged that there was reason for anxiety. They salted the young stock and then left Jerry to graze while they beat the pasture brush and the woods adjoining in search of the four missing animals.
There was a plain path of the tornado's passing in this patch of wood. Several trees were uprooted and one huge forest monarch that had been struck by lightning years before and had stood dead and stripped of bark, had been snapped off at the butt.