The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-04-27


his plough; otherwise he will have green
field before his corn is up. .
Sd. The thickness of the planting should
be in proportion to the strength OF the
land. :,
No proposition is more self-evidcnt
than this; for it would be just as reasona-
bic to keep two horses on the food requl-
red bv one, as to expect two stalks OF
corn to grow in a hill which could support
but one. There appears to be a strong
mania prevailing at this time tor thick
planting; it is very commendable one,
but it should have been preceded by ano-
thcr still more important, viz: a mama
for improving our lands by dltchlng and
manure. One of your Committee has
raised upwards of ninety measured bush
els of corn to the acre; it was planted III
drills four and half feet wide, and as
thick in the step as it could conveniently
stand; but no man in his senses would
plant in this way, on any other than the
richest land. We more frequently err in
planting too thick that too thin; but there
is one fact which should be remembered
by every farmer; it issthat a crop OF corn
well worked can be planted much thicker
on piece of land of given quality, than
one slovenly cultivated.
4th. The soil should be frequently STIR
red and the weeds kept down.
The philosophy of vegetation is, that
plants require heat, air, moisture, and
the capability of extending their roots in
search of nourishment. These requisites
are all afforded, by frequently loosenlng
the soil, which besides, is next to irriga-
ton, the best remedy against drought,
and the firing consequent upon too thick
planting. 1t is great mistake to suppose
that working corn during drought is In
urious to the plant. !
Variousimplements have beende signed
'or this purpose; the ploug IN, the coulter, the
harrow, and the cultivator are those IN
most general use. Recently a new i'm
the subsoil plough, has been adj
led to the others; and numerous expert
ncnts in England as well as in this coun-
ry, 90 to confirm the high encomiums
which were bestowed upon it at its intro
luctlon.
Having laid down the general princi-
,les, involved in the cultivation OF the
;orn crop, your Committee now proceed
O give their views somewhat in detail on
he subject.
No crop pays better for the labor be-
towcd in manuring and working. than
he corn crop. If the land will not pro-
uce twenty bushels to the acre, it will
ot pay the expense of cultivation, at
east in this county. 1t would be folly,
therefore,, to plant it. But as the farmer
must have corn, and as many of our
elds will not 90 beyond that average, 1t
blows that in selfdctence he must i'm
rove his lands, or ruin himself by their
utivation.
Different opinions prevail as to the re-
ative advantage of planting corn IN drills
nd squares. We think the opinions OF
he most judicious farmers, as well here
S at the north, incline to the square or
heck system, when the land is high ann
ry; on low wet lands the drill system is
cst, as it enables the water to run oft
1ore freely. But the chief advantage of
he square system is, that it enables you
0 work both ways and you may then dis
ense, in great degree, with the hoe
'esidcs, lays the land more level and bet
er suited to the succeeding crop Of small
rain. 1t is an error to suppose that corn
cquircs to be bedded up to prevent ITS
icing blown down. However high you
nay throw the beds, you will always find
hat beautiful system Of bracing roots,
hooting out from the first joint and taper
ng the earth to support the stalk. There
S ordinarily but one set of these roots,
md whether the corn stand upon level
surface or on ridge, the number OF roots
md braces is the same.
In working corn, the theory confirmed
~ extensive practice is, to plough deep
n the carly cultivation, whilst the roots
arc small and shallow, as they begin to
extend themselves. The deep plough
ing enables the roots to tap downwards.
into the cool open soil, thereby avoiding
the evil consequences of drought, and
their being cut and mutllatcd by
the subsequent shallow cultlvation.-