The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-04-05
By James M. Chambers.

By James M. Chambers.
Itwould seem that with crop with which
We had been so long familiar, and which
snters so universally into the products OF
he farm, nothing new would remain to be
and that practice ought long
since to have made US acquainted with all
The best modes of culture. My observa.
ton. however, has but served to convince
me that no crop has been subjected to more
neglect, and none been more lefi to the
mere risk of chances, circumstances. and
the accidents of seasons, than corn; espe-
cially in the agriculture Of the South.
lay it down as indispensably neces.
sary to anything like perfect success. that
first Of all, good preparations should De
made before planting; that the land should
be thoroughly, deeply and closely Plowed.
forming deep, mellow and well Pulyer-
lied bed, which will allow any excess OF
rain water which may fall upon the sur.
face to settle readily deep into the earth
below the deposited seed-which will per.
mi, the warming rays OF the sun, and the
healthful gases of the atmosphere to pene.
trate, and through which the young roots,
so abundant in this plant may spread out
early and easily, in search OF requisite
food.
This preparation, as already insirnated,
must be made with the plough. The time
Of doing it, and the particular kind Of in
strument 10 be used, and the depth to which
the land is to be broken. must be deter
mined very much BY circumstances, the
character of the soil, &C., and must be
left somewhat to the discretion Of the plan.
ter, to be varied to suit the circumstances
of each case---securing the object, deep
and thorough preparation. Hmust be ad.
mitted that very good crops are often made
with less preparation. These defcieL cies
are sometimes made up by after culture.
Yet no one may safely presume upon the
opportunity to do this; nor can we claim
to have done our whole duty, when we
leave for tomorrow the doing OF those
things which we ought TO have done TO-
day. Many regrets and many failures
have resulted from the want Of these time
ly preparations.
The next question in the order Of inqui.
ry is as to the Mode Of Planting. and the
best Time for doing this.
In climate with summers as long and
hot as ours, and where drought so frequent.
| ly occurs in these hot months, it is OF in6is.
pensable Importance that this crop should
be planted just as soon as the frosts may
be avoided. And ittmay be remarked in
this connection that this plant. though ten
der, is not easily killed to the root. and The
mere nipping OF the young leaves OF III.
corn does not materially affec. its ultimate
yield; and that we should not therefore b,
deferred by any Of these apprehensions
from early planting. 80
The Depth Of Planting is an import
ant consideration. y
1 The roots Of corn are almost all lateral
and come out near the surface; and it i
therefore matter of great importance L
have the seed well depositedln the ground
To do this, the opening furrow for planting
should be deep, so that the tendency OF al
other workings would be to increase th
/ depth OF earth upon the roots. The seed
when deposited in this furrow. should b.
covered TO the depth of one and half t
two inches, with soft, fine earth, places
there by plow or hoe-the latter thinl
best. Three or four grains should b
dropped, when only one is to be left. il be
| ing much better TO thin out than to have t
replant. a aAg
II is a debateable question, and there
fore one about which there is diffsrenc
of opinion, as to whether the Hill or Dril
> planting, or the one or the two stalk sys
tern is the best Circumstances must ne
cessarily enter very largely into the settle
ment Of these questions; and after all. tn
discretion OF the planter must be often lie
to settle them. My theory and plans ar
made to suit the common uplands Of tn
country, and may therefore be departe
from as occasion and the difference
lands may require. Upon this basis
shall take hill in preferences to drill plan
ing, because Of the greater regularity
Distance, the greater ease with which
may be cultivated; and prefer one or tw
> stalks in the hill, because il is more sasil
cleaned with the plow or hoe-better su
!. tanned. as the one receives al the foo
:. !. from the soil which would otherwise /
!, diyided-because il would besr droug
! with less damage-and finally. thoug
: other plans may produce more ears. tho.
: on one stalk will be larger. equal in quar-
!, iity. and better in the quality Of the cor
= Having settled the preference for or
!. stalk in the hill, the Distance remains
= = be given.
! should advise the checking to be 70,
= and q half feet one way, by three and
halt the other. | should then expect
make the crop alter this preparation wi
i three plowings-the first to be given d
, marrow way of the rows, and the two Ia
!. !. the wide way. The crop is now plante
, and very important branch OF the wo
!, is disposed Of [Continued.
e TRAvELING.-A strong, lazy fellow. wi
u preferred begging to work, calledon ge
e itleman in the city, and asked for SEQ
h victuals and old clothes.". The man ask,
J. what he did for q living.
1t .Not much" said the fellow, ..exce
Q travelling"
% Travelling! Then you can travel pref
If well?"
2 eOh. yes,"' said the beggar. "I'm We
is uood At that ~