Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-15
VALLEY FARMER.

Report of the Committee on the cul-
tivation of Corn, made to the Ag-
gllricultural Society. Plume g.. 1855.
MMR. CmArRxAS:-The Committee
to whom was referred the subject Of
the cultivation Of Corn would report,
that in view Of the fact that almost ev-
cry person or family residing in the
country or country towns. are farmers
so far as the raising Of patch Of corn
is concerned, and as a consequence, al
most every one has his own way Of
cultivating the crop, conforming to
circumstances that surround them in
many cases. And il is not only true
that almost every family. whether Far
mer, Physician, Merchant, or Lawyer,
raise their patch Of corn, but it is al
so true that the aboriginees OF our
country did cultivate their patch Of
corn and squashes, aud it was an oc-
casion Of general feasting when the
first fruits Of their corn were gather
ed. All this being the case. almost
every one understanding not only the
use. but also the cultivation of this
grain. Il is not at all likely that your
committee could suggest system of
cultivation adapted to all who are en-
gagged in the raising of this kind of
grain, but your committee think that
a few suggestions may be made that
will meet the case of almost any one
who wishes to raie corn. Andhere let
it be remembered that a greater am
cunt Of nutrimnt, both for man and
beast, can be raised from the acre of
this, than of sny other kind Of grain.
This being The case. we think that any
hints Of amere improved mode Of cul-
tiyation, or that will lead to q more
improved mode, will be appropriate
True, the subject referred to your COM
mittee was the cultivation Of corn, but
your committee think they viii not
travel out Of the sphere Of their duty
to speak Of the preparation of the
ground. and also of the planting, as
well as Of the cultivation. Your COM
mittee are aware that the suggestions
in relation to the preparation Of the
ground and the planting will come to
hand too late this season to be Of SER
vice to any except those who have for
tunately delayed or been hindered
from planting at the usual time. and
thereby avoided that pest to the corn
-tnc cut worm.
ist, Then, Of the preparing of the
ground, and here we would say at the
very commencement Of the subject,
that deep and thorough blowing in al
most every kind Of soil is necessary in
order 10 raise a good crop Of corn,
and more especially if the ground be
clay or on clay bed; this, as every
person must know. who has any prac-
ticacal knowledge Of raising corn, will
enable the roots to penetrate so deep,
and draw so much moisture that i
can resist much more successfully the
drouth. than it otherwise could: and
your committee is Of the opinion that
a system of cultivation so deep and
thorough might be adopted that unless
drought was of most extraordinary
character. II would not eifec. the crop
at all.
Cd. OF the seed and planting
Let the ssed be selected from the lar
gest and the soundest ears--of the
kinds we will let the farmer make his
own choice-we have but two among
US, the red ard the white. There are
several varieties Of each kind. The
seed now being ready. the question ar
ises, can anything be applied to the
seed to prevent the mole. the squirrel.
and other things that infest the corn
fields, from taking IL up? To this we
answer we believe there can. And
here we will state a fact we got from
one Of our neighbors n few days ago,
and we will state Il in his own words
as near as we can: 81 have" said he.
"a recipe in m almanac, saying that
TO ono bushel OF corn add one pint oil
tar. Pour the tar on the corn in a
vessel large enough TO hold q consid.
cradle quantity Of water. then add
water rs warm as the corn viii bear
without injuring the germ; then mix
the water, corn and tar thoroughly
then before dropping Il roll Il in lime,
nshes or corn meal, 10 prevent sticking
to the fingers" lie informed US that
when the corn was thrown to the chick.
ems in the yard they refused to eat It.
lilo said. also. that one field that was
planted with this seed remained en-
tircly uniniured. while field on the
same farm and nearly joining il was
one.half destroyed by moles and other
vermin, and we now have but little
doubt but II we had prepared the seed
in the manner above alluded to. we
should have saved the replanting oil
near three pecks Of corn on twenty
acres. AS to the cut worm we be.
lieve there is no remedy for il except
sunshine and shower" unless YOU
break your ground late in the fall. OF
resort to that Objectionable expedient
Of listing your ground. OF the plant