Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus in which a depending vacuum housing (10) is attached to as vacuum header (12) and includes a lower open end (16) spaced above the ground line. A sensing means (32) is located at the bottom of the housing to locate a plant to be saved raised off the ground by the vacuum. A pair of vacuum air control flaps (44) close off a pair of air slots (34) or coact with each other to close off the housing to the vacuum. When a plant is identified and located the vacuum is shut off by the flaps (44) and a cutter device (60) with blades (63) cuts across the row ahead of the saved plant to create a clear area. After the cutter has created the clear area the cutter halts and within a predetermined time the vacuum is turned on again by opening the flaps to raise the next incoming plant to be saved.