We did the rain gauge thing to a neighbor, if it was standing water we would pour half out, if it showered we'd add an inch or two.  Then watch him check it, pour it out and stand looking at the field not knowing what was wrong.

Farmer I used to work for would send salesmen to his buddy.  Would tell the salesman he didn't need any but Arthur down the road was looking for whatever they were selling.

Years ago, high school boys went around stealing seed signs and put them in weedy or poor looking fields, or swapping cotton signs for corn signs.