Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1853-03-24
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CsFn Calla'.s.

paper on the culture bf.corIl, and if
being engaged in no other business
bat that oi farming all ny life. (now
nearly three score ydars,l would give
merit to my letter, theI. it will have
plenty, otherwise |. trb8 but little
But although an old man, ! am fer
from thinking that old men as a
body, are better farmers or planters
:an young ones, when they fully an-
.ly themselves. Indeed, | even
doubt, il they are as good But this
is nay suhject-to rtise the most
corn to the acre, with least labor .
Ny first object then, IS to dwarf the
stalk and blade Of. the plant, in its
early growing time. The next is,
to give life and vigor 10 both at ear
ing time. And to accomplish these
objects, my experience would direct
me to bed up my corn lands deer and
close in September or October orlbe-
fore vegetation is killed by tie
frosts, or as soon thereafter as pos
sible, and ut the first spell Of warm,
dry weather, after the middle of Feb
rnary, and to plant in drills in the
middle furrow, which, should be at
least FIVE and half or six feet apart
so as to give good room for cultiFat-
ing Pea crop. As IsIcan never raise
a good one unless l keep the weeds
and grass down, I ppt in plenty Of
seed corn, rs I tslink it better to thin
ont than to rePiant.
Ny first step, as stated above, to
dwarf the stalk and blade is, to plant
low in the water furrow; the next is,
Mt the first plowiag, whicSs should not
be too soon after the corn is up, to
side the drill close and Geep with a
turn pillow, with the bar next to the
drill, throwing the earth from the
corn. A few days OF !; week there
after, follow with the hoes, partially
thinning and c6opping through as in
cotton, and apply no elrth Or mould
to the corn,if it will stand up without
It, To describe fully the work to be
done afterwards is scarcely possible,
as all experienced pIa nters know that
seasons and circumstances direct and
force the work. But Twill say keep
che earth rs much as practicable from
near tie roots of the stalk, except Il
bare suficiency to>kfep it from trail
ing, until it begins t < tassel and silk,
then with buzzarA -Wihged sWeepplows
level tee earth ard keep it 30 as
much as possible ia the last wor kings.
aVhen pl9 wing m y corn, | rarely ev
.er run but two burrows to the row,
and very often but one. Light and
oft stirring is, I think, Of great bene-
fit to corn, and about the caring
time. Corn, tlIink, should he work
ed often, and very light, either with
plows or hoes, thrcV Il the caring
stage, and until you can gather a
mess & roasting ears, when it may
he left to Providence, under a good
fence. 1t viii tie apt to do well. =
Corn worked after the manner have
.endeayorea TO dekcribe above don't
wear that thrifty grand appearance
in It's early growth, that it usually
d 9es, when worked In the ordinary
way Of blowing out, and hilling with
the hoe But it may be made to
look fresh and.green almost at-pleas
ure, as we would have the earth or.
soil at eur command to apply, when
mostly needed-at earring time.
Some of the advantages which |
think are to ohs derived from. this
mode of corn culture arg that
in proportion to the dwarfng Of the
stalk and blade. so nmy be the addi-
ton. to the number of stalkk to the
row or acre, and 50 in propd rtion to
the number Of stalks in IN acre, that
can be kept grown aud thrifty il ear
ing time, by this process of working,
SO is the addition to the number OF
ears at gathering time.
Corn worked by thishode of cul
.ture is ap6to look grown and thrifty
through its entire caring and matur
ing season; besides, the joints being
short and usually strong, is not so
exposed to the winds, which often
trail r blow down the corn, ahd par
ticuIarly when the stalks are tall, and
The blades long
The dwarfng the.stqllS anp blade
of corn, if done at a proper time,
does not effect the size or Wight q
the ear. Wishing your VI luable
Journal, the Soil Of the South, much
success,I am, very respectfully yours,
&C.. WnILMAN II Owen.
Glennville, January, 1858. |
Far Consumption, folds md qougts. 8