Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-22
AGRICULTURAL.



Various modes Of securing this irnpor-
tant crop, have been practiced. The most
uncommon mode which formerly prevail
Cd inihe older settled portions of the North
crn States, was to cut of the stalk few
inches above the car, after the grain had
reached a certain stage of rpeness,-us-
ually indicated by the top of the stalk or
"tasscIl," being dead. This is called stop
ping" The stop stalks" thus cut off, are,
when wiltcd, bound into small bundles,
and afterwards placed in shocks to cure.
The corn is left TO ripen on the "but-staks,"
and when sufficiently dry is harvested,
either by breaking off the ear wlththc husk,
or by cutting the stalk close to the ground.
These modes are most common, though
the corn is sometimes husked on the stand
ing stalk In the latter case, the stalks
are usually cut and stalkcd or housed, af-
ter the corn is gathered. Where the ears
nrc, with the husks, broken from the stalks,
csttlc are usually turned into the "stalked
field" to eat the leaves, or whatever they
find that is eatable, and the stalks are left
TO be plowed in, or rot on the ground.
In tho Southern States a similar mode
hnsprcvailcd, with the addition OF the gath
ering of the blades" The latter operation
consists in stripping the leaves, by hand,
from tho "but-staiks," after the corn has
been topped" The leaves are bound in
bundles and form excellent fodder for
horses or cattle.
In the Western States, the practice Of
topping stalks has never prevailed as OK
tensiycly as in the eastern and northern
sections of tho country. In the principal
cattle districts, the corn is commonly cut
and shocked. and fed from shock without
being husked In that fertile region, where
corn grows from IL to Is feet high, and
sometimes higher, it is inconvcnient to cut
the top stalk, as the ears are often higher
than mans head AT the same time the
large size ofthe stalk and the great bulk
of the whole plant, render 1t expedient, in
many instances, to cut the crop at the
height Of two orthree feet from the ground
Even then the shocks are tall, and the
ears arc so far from the ground that the
lower part of the shock remains open to
the admission Of the air. The but-s,alks,
which are left on the field, are too coarse
and composed too much Of hard fibre and
corky p!th, to afford much nutrimcnt to an
finals. After standing exposed to the frosts
and storms of winter, they are either cut
with scythes, or are beaten to the ground
by heavy wood implement drawn over
them by horses or oxcn,which leaves them
in such situation that they are readily
plowed into the soil.
In some instances, in the west, the crop
is left entire, to ripen in the field, and the
cars when ripe are broken from the stalk
In such cases cattle are turned in to CLEAN
the field, and what they leave returns to
the soil.
Topping corn is probably less practiced
in this country generally, and especially in
the northern portion,ihan formerly. There
are several reasons for this. First, a con-
Niction of the loss sustained in the value of
the fodder; second, the loss IN the weight
and value of the grain third, the liability of
the crop being injured while in an imma-
turc state, by frost.
All these reasons are important As to
the first, the northern varieties of corn pro-
ducc numerous leaves below the ear. If
the stalk is cut to the ground Just as it is
beginning to turn" and isproperly cured,
the whole is nearly equal in quality to the
common top-stalk. On the other hand,
the but-stalks being left in the field till the
frost has extracted or soured their juices,
are much deprecated in value.
1t has been proved taat cutting of the
top-stalk lessons the yield Of grain The
public is indebted to VIM. Clark, Esq, of
Northampton, Mass. for several interest
ing experiments, which have established
this fact. The result is, indeed altogether
reasonable, and in accordance with ma
lures laws in similar cases. What other
plant would bear such humiliation without
injury? Deprive the vine of its lcaves,a
the grapeis imperfect. SO it is with the
apple. pear, plum, &c.
We have known no experiments made
with direct reference to the comparative
value or yield Of corn when left to ripen,
untouched, or is cut up at the ground and
shocked; butt, is probable that the su-
pcrior quality of the fodder by the latter
mode, would much more than counterbal-
ance the advantage. if any, in the value
ofthe 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 hastecn settled in re-
gard to wheat, land also in regard to rye
and oats,) that the grain itself is worth
more in the aggregate by being cut before
..ead ripe-cven while it is soft and aoughy
and while the straw has vet a consider
able shade ofgreenncss. Thus, the grains
not only gilmore valuc,-will make more
and better fiour,-but the straw is much
better food for stock Ithas, in fact. been
noticed, that meal from corn that wascurcd
in shock, is sweetcr, swells more, and
makes more bread than other meal.
1t is fair, however, to state in regard 10
this mode ofharvesting the corn crop, that
it is sometimes cured mpcrfectly-from
the bad manner in which the shocks are
made. being packed too closely. or not suf-
iiciently open at the bottom; which, if wet
weather occurs, occasions the ears and
sometimes the stalks, to mould.-Aibaay
Caltiratcy.
s. 500 stats9 - +