Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-05-30

ing clover hay (1n June Is SO Hach le4ail0 aioo
for other important labors that cannot spare en-
Tough time and labor 1or a large hay harvest The
fodder crop NAV still supply all deficiencies, bt in
a different mode of harvesting from what Is usual
and which is safe from any damage to the gram
cheap in reference to labor and risk OF bad wealth
er and profitable in all respects. This method
is that of cutting off the stalks, at the time when
the leaves have Just ceased to supply nourlshmen to
the grain and curing the stalks, with all their re-
naming leaves in shocks.
This nlan has long been generally in in Ken
lucky and other Western and also the Northern
States But it has been but little practiced in East
ern Virginia. Many years ago attempted repeat
eddy thus to fodder, and generally failed The
cause of failure was cutting down the corn TOO early
My present course which has been pursued for sew
en- years, and with the whole crop OF corn Tor i've
years. will be now stated
AS the ordinary mode of taking off all the leaves
kills the corn plant Immediately OF course the stalk
might be cut off at the same time, with more in
Jury to the filing of the grain. But would be inu-
rious in both processes. Therefore, the cutting down
should be DELAYED until the leaves generally have
ceased, about ceasing to supply nourlshment
to the plant This safe time may be known by the
first appearing of either of two indications. One is,
when all, nearly ALL of the leaves below the ear
have lost or are fast losing their green color, and
are mostly yellow, dry. Or even it the lower
leaves remain mostly green, it is safe to cut down
the stalks if the shuck which encoses the ear is be-
ginning to turn yelowish, which is safe indication
of ripeness. Of course there will always be inter-
mixed some few less mature stalks either produced
from later planted seeds, retarded in growth by
some other causes. If there are but very few If
such greener plants they will not be worth emitting
though losing something by being cut off too soon
But if numerous, they may be left for later cut
ting, and then be set up around the shocks before
made.
The kind of corn which now cultivate is that
known by the of prolific or Maryland twin
corn" 1t is smaller in stalk and ear, has harder
and heavier grain than the large and soft corn usu
ally raised in this region. and is 10 days ear
lier The times of beginning and finishing the cut
ting down of my crop have been noted since this
practice was begun, except in two seasons, when
was away from home, and were as follows:
Began to cut and shock. Finished cutting down.
lsf4-Aug. 26th, fodder of rpest pulled
1sts-AaRs i FL, SSs sPt 18th 2ss
1sf-Aug, slst-partially and regularly
| Aug. 81 y Sept 23d
1S4S-(not noted) Sept. 18th
11ss4 49 9Th, Cater than proper) Sept. 9th
! Having determined upon the number Of rows of
stalks to allow to each row of Shocks (saY about
30,) at such distances careful aborer proceeds to
mark the places, and make the supports for the
shocks. For this purpose, at each place designed
for a shock, he draws together the stalks of or
nearest adjacent hills or stations standing in two
rows, and ties them closely together (the tops
ing,) at the height of the nterlocked To pre-
vent the stalks breaking, hoe is first struck into
the ground just on the outer side of these stalks
which parting the outside roots, permits the stalks
| to be made to lean inward, without being bent
broken. When thus locked at the ears and tied to-
geher these stalks offer sufficiently strong support
to keep the shock from falling. The rapid growing
trumpet-fower vine, which is a common weed in
most of fields offers convenient string for tying
the supports. The corn-rows are either So feet
apart, and the stations in the usually 81 feet
with stalks at each, or on the richest ground.
AS soon as the tying of the supports is far enough
ahead other men begin, and proceed regularly to
cut down all the other stalks. Each man cuts two
corn rows at once. The implement used is heavy
and sharp knife, made of piece of old scythe about
Is inches long, with part of the thick back stuck
into wooden handle The cutter grasps the Or
stalks standing together with his left hand and
with his right chops them off usually at one bow)
about II inches below the lowest ears, the posi-
ton of the ears, as they may hang downward. The
stalks, cut off, thrown into and across the
next adjacent interval balk," outside of the la
borers two rows. The next man lays his stalks on
the same places; so that the stalks of corn-rows
are thrown together, and lying straight and even
with each other. Other hands follow close after,
and pick up these stalks, and carry them to be
placed nearly uprigh as they will stand and OPP
posite around the ears of the supporting stalks
Each of the first armfuls of stalks brought by the
bearers, is placed in of the angles of the sup
ports, and the next is opposed and so placing
the next supplies regularly around until the shock
is large enough Care should be taken to have the
| SHOCK Dullt nearly OF equal thickness around the
support. The shock will then be nearly self-sup-
ported, by equal inward pressure. When finished
and settled, the shock approaches somewhat to
conical shape, more OF less fat the top-the cir
cuar base being 8 to feet in diameter
Thus the stubbe is left standing from Is to
SO inches high according to the growth The leaves
left this lower part of the stalks are not much
loss, provender, being mostly dried 1t is great
! gain to get rid of the weight of so much stubbe,
(then heavy with sap in the carrying to the shocks:
and afterwards in the carting so much additional
bulk and weight to the barn-yard. The stubble is
of no value except as manure; and it does not the
less serve manure, if left on the ground on which
it grew than if moved to another field 1.-THE corn
field is to be sown in wheat. it is BEST as second
operation, to cut off the corn-stubble close to the
ground with sharp hoe. This is done rapidly
The cut stubble is not much in the way of plough
ing and narrowing. l have ploughed under such
stubble, for sowing wheat, without cutting them off,
but cutting them is the better way
At the time prescribed for cutting down the corn,
the leaves indeed much passed their prime con-
diton of value fodder In addition all the leaves
| on the high stubble are lost, as provender. Of
course the remainder, put into shocks, is not equal
in quantity, nor in quality, with the corn fodder
saved as usual. Further-the outsides of all the
shocks spoiled provender, and merely to
shelter the inside from and rain. Still, there
are advantages fully compromising these losses of
value in the long provender, besides the most mpor
tant benefits of saving than half the labor and
avoiding the usual and great damage to the grain.
In the first place-whatever remains green of the
leaves, and also the shucks and stalks, are immedi-
ately placed in the shock and cured in the shade
This must retain for the leaves ard shucks as pro-
yender, and perhaps also for the stalks manure
more of their strength, than when exposed in the
usual mode. In this, corn fodder is exposed in small