The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-05-03
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From the Germantown Telegraph.
Planting Indian Corn.

| OF all the crops the farmer produces.
Indian corn is unquestionably the most
profitable. The correctness of this asser-
ton will no doubt be questioned by some
especially those who have pursued the
business under unfavorable auspices, or
without possessing sufficient experience
or knowledge TO direct them rightly in the
undertaking. Probably most ofmy read
ers who have attained to middle age can
recolect when from twenty-five to thirty
bushels Of shelled corn, per acre, was con-
sidered good crop. Frequently, the
yield fell far below this. Ihave seen many
| fields from which not more than ten or
fifteen bushels of sound corn were harves-
ted to the acre; and yet the soil was of a
character calculated, in most instances, to
produce, with proper management, from
seven to eight times the maximum yield
stated, and this without Injury to It's pro-
ductive power, or reducing its vegetive en-
ergies below the point requisite for the
successful Development and maturation of
succeeding crop. In many instances l
have seen from one hundred and twenty
five, to one hundred and forty bushels of
sound, shelled corn stated as the produce
of a single acre! This is ovast yield, it
is true,-so vast, indeed, that many are
disposed to doubt whether it has ever, in
reality, been attained; and were it not that
| these statements are attested and sworn to
under oath, by witnesses In whose veracI-
ty and correctness we are called to cOnhde,
| should myself be almost inclined TO ques-
| ton their correctness; or, at least, to sus-
pect them of some strange oversight or
l. Al, - e.,
presume, who has experiemented. intel a.
gently, in reference to this important crop,
will express himself as otherwise than
convinced that it is possible greatly to in
crease the Average yield. But in order to
do this, it is essential, nay, indispensable
that the soil be of good quality. This is
the primars, and, perhaps, most important
consideration to be attended to, for, if the
character and position of the land be un-
favorable,-if it be low and wet, or sub
iect to periodical inundations, all the sub
sequent details must inevitably result in
disappointment, and the crop will either
be destroyed prematurely, or struggle on
through a sickly existence, producing at
harvest barely sufficient to defray the
cost.
When circumstances are favorable,
prefer planting this crop on green sward
plowed as late in the spring as the require
ments of the case will permit. Before
tributing it as evenly as possible, and turn
it Immediately under with shallow fur.
row. | then roll thoroughly, and apply
the harrow. These operations are re-
peated, on light soils, until the surface i:
rendered light and fine. The rows are
then laid off three and half feet apart, ex
tendidg lengthways and across the piece
and from half to two thirds of shovelfu
of old, well rotted manure or compost Il
allowed to each hill. | never use any
coating or 'steep;' planting the seed just a:
it comes from the cob, allowing common
ly from six to seven kernels to the hill
After depositing the manure, a mixture o
five parts ashes, one of common salt, ano
a small quantity of gypsum, Is sprinkleo
over the suface-say one-half pint to eacf
hill; the soil is then carefully drawn owe
it, and compressed by stamping with The
head of the hoe. AS soon as the blade.
appear, another application of the mixture
is made-one gill to each hill. Wher
the plants have attained the height of al
lilCIl diiIi d nall, sui 10 iluCIl
ed with weeds, the cultivator is intro
duced,-Passing longitudinally and trans
versly through the piece, and the spurious
vegetation removed from the hills by th'
hoe and hand. Another dressing of the
mixture, or of guano, is then given, ant
two bushels of gympsum to the acre SOW
ed broadcast, over the whole surface.
The second hoeing follows as soon a
the weeds have again started, and the SAM
indication determines the time of the third
No hill is made-the soil being retaine'
perfectly flat or level through the season
When convenient, | mix my new and oil
! dung together, before spreading. The oil
: manure yields its assistance during tn
: earlier stages of vegetation, and viii ali
y powerfully in sustaining the plants till tn
re,o has had time to ferment and becom
capacified to supply its place. 1t woul
be more judicious, unquestionably, to Gov
er the old dung with the harrow, rathe
than with the plow-but this would in
IL crease the labor to and irksome exten
;: without, perhaps, proportionate to tn
crop. a PRACTICAL FARMER. j.
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