Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-04-27
agricultural,
From The Germantown Telegraph.
Planting Inlian Corn,


OF all the corps the farmer produces, Indian
corn is unquestionably the most proftable.-
The correctness of this assertion will no doubt
be questioned by some especially those who
have pursued the business under uniavorable
auspices, or without possessing sufficient ex-
perience or knowledge to direct them rightly in
the undertaking. Probably most of my readers
who have attained 10 middle age can recoec
when from twenty-five TO thirty bushels of shell
led corn, per acre, was considered good crop.
! Frequently, the yield fell far below this
have seen many fields from which not more
! than ten or fifteen bushels of sound corn were
harvested to the aero; and yet the soil was of a
character calculated, in most instances, to pro-
duce. with proper management, from seven TO
eight times the nartumR yield stated, and this
without injury to its productive powers, or re-
duclng its vegetatve energies below the point
requisite for the successful development and
maturation Of u succeeding crop. In many in
stances have seen from one hundred and forty
bushels of sound, shelled corn stated as the pro-
duce of single acrel This is vast yield, il
is uuc,--so vast, indeed, that many are disposed
to doubt whether it has ever, in reality, been at
lained; and were it not that these statements are
in whose verucity and correctness we are called
to confde, should myself be almost inclined
TO question their correctness; or, at least, to
suspect them of some strange oversight or mis-
take. BE this as it may, no farmer presume,
who has experimental, inteWgently, in refer
cnce to this important crop, will express himself
as otherwise Than convinced That il is possible
greatly 10 increase the acreage yield. But in
order to do this it is essential nay, indispensa.
bic that the soil be of good quality. This is
the primary, and perhaps, most important con-
sderaton to be attended to, for, if The charac-
ter and position of the land be unlavorable, if t|
be low and wet, or subject to periodical inunda-
lions, all the subsequent details must inevitably
result in disappointment, and the crop will eth
or be destroyed prematurely, producing al har-
vest barely sufficient TO delray the cost.
When circumstances are favorable, I prefer
planting this crop on green sward, plowed as
late in the spring as the requirements of the case
will permit. Before blowing, spread on my
long manure, distributing il as evenly as possi-
BILE, and turn II Immediately under with shal.
low Iurow then roll thoroughly, and apply
the harrow. These operations are repeated, on
light soils, until the surface is rendered light and
fine. The rows are then laid off three and
half feet apart, extending englhways aud across
thepiece, and from half to two-thirds of shovel.
(ul of old, we'll rotted manure or compost is al.
lowed 10 each hill. | never use any coating or
"sleep;" planting tho seed just as it comes (iom
the cob, allowing commonly from six 10 seven
kernels to the hill. Aherdepositing the manure,
mixture of five parts ashes, one of common
salt, and small quantity of gypsum, is sprink-
led over the surIace--say one.haf pint to each
hill; the soil is then carefully drawn over it,
and compressed by stamping with the head of
the hoe. As soon as the blades appear, another
application of the mixture is made--one gill to
eochshill. When the plants have attained the
height Of an inch and half, if the soil is much
infested with weeds, the cultvator is introduced,
-passing ongludnally and transversey lhro'
the piece, and the spurious vegetation removed
from the hills by the hoe and hand. Another
dressing Of the mixture, or of guano, is then
given, and two bushels of gypsum to the acre
sowed broadcast, ever the whole surface.
The second hoeing follows as soon as the
weeds have again started, and the same indica.
lion determines the time of the third. No hill
is made-Ihe soil being retained perfectly fiat or
level through the season. When convenient,
mix my new and old dung together, before
spreading. The old manure yields its assistance
during the earlier stages of vegetation, and will
aid powerfully in sustaining the planets ill the
neiO has had time 10 lerment and become capa.
Gifted to supply its place. 1t would be more iu-
dicious, unqueslionabIy, to cover the old dung
with tho harrow, rather than with the pow--bnt
this would increase the labor to an rksome OK.
tent without, perhaps, proporIionate advan.
toge to the crop.
A PRACTICAL FARMER.
Bald Eagle Farm, March 8, 1849.
When one praised good man literally be-