Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-23

From The Albany Cntftrator
harvesting Indian Corn.

In the Western States. the practice Of
topping stalks has prevailed as ex-
tensively as in the eastern and northern
sections ofthe country. In the principal
caftIc districts. the corn is commonly cut
and shocked, and fed from shock without
being husked. In that fertile region.
whore corn grows from IL told feet high,
and sometimes higher, it is inconvenient
to cut the top-stalk. as the ears are often
higher than a mans head. At the same
time the large size Of the stalk and the
great bulk o the whole plant, render il
expedient. in many instances, to cut the
crop at the height of two or three feet
from the ground. Even then the shocks
are tall. and the ears are so far from the
ground that the lower part of the shock
remains open to the admission Of the air.
Tho but-stalks, which are left on the
field. are too coarse and composed too
mnch Of hard fibre and corky pth, to af-
ford much nutriment to animals. After
standing exposed to the frosts and storms
of winter, they are eithcrcu with scythes.
or are beaten to the ground by a heavy
wood implement drawn over them by
horses oroxen, which leaves than in such
a situation that they are readily ploughed
into the soil.
In some instances. in the west, the
crop is left entire. to ripen in the field,
and the ears when ripe are broken from
the stalk. In such cases cattle are turned
in to CLEAN the field, and what they leave
returns 10 the soil.
Topping corn is probably less practiced
IN tllis country generally. and especially
in the northern portion, than formerly
There arc several reasons for this. First.
iction of the loss sustained in the
weight and value of the grain third. the
liability of the crop being injured while
in on immature state, by frost.
All rhesc reasons arc important. AS
10 the first, the northern varieties Of corn
produce numerous leaves below the ear.
If the stalk is cut to the ground, Just as il
isbcginning to %"turn," and is properly
cured, the whole is nearly equal in quail
ty to the common iop-stalk. On the other
hand, the but stalks bcinglcft in the field
till the frost has extracted or soured their
juices. are much deprecated in value.
Ii has been proved that cutting of the
top-stalk lessons the yield ofgrain. The
public is indebted to VIM. Clark, Esq,
Of Northampton. Mass. for several inter
estlng experiments, which established this
fact. The result Is, indeed, altogether
reasonable, and in accordance with ma
lures laws in'similar cases. What other
-. ,..1J Lo,r su,L, ,,uf,l,t,,, ,,,,bant
injury? Deprive the vine of its leaves,
aud the grain is imperfect. So it is with
the apple, pear, plum, &c.
We have known no experiments made
with direct reference 10 the comparative
value or yield of corn when left to ripen,
untouched, or is cut up at the ground
ana shocked but it is probable that the
superior quality Of the fodder by the lat
ter mode. would much more than counter
balance the advantage, if any in the value
Of tho grain by the former.
We see no reason why the same rule
would not apply to Indian Corn as to
Wheat, or other grain. 1t has been set
tied in regard to Wheat, land also in re-
gard to rye and oats,) that the grain is
'WVith utoic aSS'SSdtc Ny pcihS Cut
before dead ripe-evcn while tits soft and
donghy-and while the straw has yet a
considerable shade of grcenness. Thus.
the grain is not only of more value-will
make more and better flour,-but the
straw is much better food for stock. 1t
has, in fact, been noticed. that meal from
corn that was cured in shock, is swceter,
swells more, and makes more bread than
other meal.
1t is fair, however, 70 state in regard
IN this mode Of harvesting the Corr crop,
that it is sometimes cured imperfcc,ly-
from tho bad mannerin which the shocks
are made, being packed too closely, or
not sufficiently open at the bottom
which. if wet weather occurs. occasions
the ears, and sometimes the stalks, to
mould