The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-11-24
RUIs.4L ECO.NO.NI.
From the Southern Agriculturisf.
The Improper use of the Plough in the
Culipdtion of Indian Corn.

ETOW tHc DOLHtFb hSfOufUtS''
The Improper use of the Plough in the
Cultivation of Indian Corn.
Mr.. EDITOR
Dear Slr-By request, | submit to you.
for insertion in the Agrlculturst, some re-
marks and experiments, hive made, TO
prove that the plough is frequently used too
late, aud much TO the injury Of our Corn
crops.
Il is well known 10 rice planters, that
when rice is in JOINT and forming its ear, eV'
cry effort must be made to advance IFS
growth, so that good ears may be formed.
The same effort, TO effect the same result, IS
necessary with Corn, and all other grains.
When the ear is about TO be formed, the al,
mosphere has less influence on the plant
than previously therefore, more is required
from the rools. II the soil is fertile, and
well broken up with the plough previous 10
planting corn, innumerable small fibrous
roots will run literally, in search of NUTS
ment, to the distance Of SIX or eight feet,
and sometimes as far as twenty feet. These
la,erss are very small, and easily separa'
ted from the stalk if cut by the plough
when the plant is young, no injury viii be
sustained, and perhaps benefit: but they
nusl not be cut or disturbed in any way,
when far advanced towards maturity
Without their aid at that period, the per.
pendicuiar, or tap. root, will not DO suffi'
Gent to produce good and welt filled ears
Il is not unirequent the case, that the plough
is used when the Corn is IN silk, and OF that
time these lateral roots arc very numerous
above the surface Of the ground, ard must
necessarily be cut, much TO the INJURY OF
the crop. ! have made several expert
/ ments which prove conc,usivoly, that the
perpendicular or tap roots, are not sufhc'
en-, wthou, the aid Of lateral roo,s, to pre-
duce good and well filled ears; and that, II
The plough is used too late, a good crop
canno, be expected. For my experiment,
| selected eight we'll grown stalks just be
fore shooting out their tassels. ! bad the
earth cut round two Of these stalks about
six or eight inches from them, TO the depth
and width Of the spade, and the earth remoy
ed, SO that | could see that all Of the side
roots were cut. The earth vas permitted
90 remain in this situation until the Corn
was ma,ured. The stalks looked well, aud
the ears appeared to DO well filled but, or
examination, II was found, that there were
but few scattered grain in them.
\ In the next experiment, cut was made
round two stalks, with spade, TO its deptt
and width, q, the same distance as above
This cut was permitted TO close immediate
Iy, no earth having been removed. The
result was, small ears, not we'll filled.
The third experiment vas TO Gu, thu
roofs On two sides Of the stalks, as they
are usually cut in late pIoughing. On tbs
other sides the roots were not disturbed
The result-smal ears, tolerably well filed
In the remaining two stalks, no roots
we're cot or disturbed the ears large ant
well filed
The plough is not sufficiently used OF
our rice plantations, IN preparing Corn lane
for planting, and is generally used too late
after plating. If the soil has been wei
prepared, and in good tillh, ,ae cuilvaior
or hoe harrow, may be used most edyapta
geously after tho second pIoughing. A,
soon as the plants can be ploughed, thu
first furrov ought TO be thrown from it
and the second 10 1t; and II used again, the
sooner the better, so that the Corn may b,
laid by, when 1t has attained third Of ii!
growth, or very soon after.
will here remark. that tho planter whc
wishes tie increase his Corn crop in quaint
~, mus, select his seed in the field. Seet
from those stalks that have produced from
three 10 six ears, will, IN like manner, pro
duce again from three TO six ears, If ih'
soil Is well MANFRED and well cultivated
and seed from those stalks that have pro
duced one ear, will again, 10 all probability
produce but one ear.
Respectfully your obedient servant,
JOHN H. TUCKER.
Hamstead, Sep. OH, ls42.