Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-02-07
Preparing Land for Corn.

AS the time for planting this most mpor-
tant crop is rapidly approaching, few hints
on the proper preparation of the soil may
not be inappropriate. The warfare now ra-
ging in Europe, with the excessive drouths
we have had. in the last few years, the cer-
tainry of an increased demand at high figures,
all combine to draw, from every farmer, in
creased attention to this subject. In making
preparations for new crop Of corn, we
would suggest to our readers that they can.
not commence their operations too soon, nor
push them too fast when they do commence.
The first grand prerequisite necessary is a
team aud pl6w, not y mere excuse by which,
with hard pushing, the land may possibly be
scratched to the depth of three or four IN
ches, bu, plow that will not only break
your land but break it thoroughly. Land
that is only half broken will never more
than half produce under the best system OF
tiIlage of seasonable year, while the pro.
duct of such land, Of a dry season, is GER
tainly anything but encouraging. 1t is to
the interest of every planter that his corn
land be deep and thoroughly broken. Not a
furrow ever should be run short of depth
of ten inches, while even fourteen inches
would not he too much. The advantages Of
deep plowing are so many and so plain to
be seen, that we deem it useless to dwell
upon them at length. Corn growing upon
land broke ten or fourteen inches deep, de-
rives greater benefit, in any season, by
being better able to expand its roots to a
larger extent of soil, and thus gather in.
creased strength and sustenance, than it does
from land not broke so deep, in which roots
are necessarily contracted and are Iorced to
occupy a small space, or force their way
through firm and unbroken soil. But in
dry season the advantages of deep blowing
are incaculable. Then it is that the great
advantages of this principle are to be seen
wherever put in practice. Land deep and
thoroughly broke never suffers for the want
of rain, even in our warm climate. BY break
ing our land deep, the roots OF the corn
penetrate to greater depth than in shallow
broke land, aud by this means are enabled
to draw a sufficient supply of moisture, from
its increased depth, independent of Iain. Nor
is this all ; for, should the season prove wet,
the surface moisture sinks down 10 the bot
tom of the deeply plowed land, and is there
stored away as in a reservoir, upon which
the roots can draw for sustenance ad hbltum.
Manure ueA,-Plow deep and plant early!
if you desire corn to Z" sell and keep"
Cotton Seed Masher.-Mr. Thomas Dixon,
of Hancock county, carrying out the sug-
ges,ion OF Dr.. Lee, if we mistake not, in the
southern Culrivator.) has appended two cyl.
nders to his gin through which all the seed
passes as it falls from the lint, and is crack
ed so as to prevent termination. This las
clear from chemical as well as practical
tests) makes it much more valuable fertll.
zcr, because much is lost in going through
the process of heating. After MASKING, we
would suggest that the seed be kept under
shelter in cool dry place, and not in too
large bulk, or with poles running through
them to prevent heating. Mr.. D. is one of
our best practical farmers and has shown
his good sense in taking the lead in this mat
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