The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-04-08
lgrlrultural.
From the Country Gentleman.
CULTURE OF CORN.

VA SSIhN
Farmers differ very much in the depth
to which they plow their sward land for
the corn crop. This should depend some
what upon the quality of the subsoil, and
on the depth Of previous cultivation. The
good sense Of most farmers is a sufficient
guide to direct them in this matter; but
MS a general rule deep blowing increases
'he productive powers e most arabic
soils, while shallow cultivation will as
surely impoverish them and gradually pro-
duce sterility. 1t is deep blowing and in
creased manuring that generally pays
the greatest profit, for the cool reasons
that land thus deeply pu!verized is much
better prepared to imbibe and retain mos
ture and the fertilizing matters brough:
to 1t by the rain, dews, and atmosphere,
than the shallow and badly plowed soil.
The crop too,on the well and deeply work.
ed soil, will bear up under the effects of
our frequent summer droughts, while
those on the shallow plowed fields will be
nearly ruined for lack of moisture. Rea.
soning from observation and analogy, we
do not see why our common field crops
may not be rs much benefited BY deep
and thorough pulverization, and liberal
manuring Of the soil, as the deep. rooted
and other esculents of the kitchen garden
are.
Different soils require different treat
ment in regard to the method Of blowing,
manuring, and after cultivation, and we
know Of no better way Of deciding these
questions, than for each farmer to insti.
tute and carry through n series of well
conducted experiments in corn growing.
BY so doing, each may ascertain those
systems Of cultivation best adapted to his
soils, if he has different kinds.
There may be, for aught we know, sew.
eral good ways Of applying manure FOR
the corn crop /; but we are slow in Leliev
ing there are half a dozen best WAYS in
this matter, especially for the same kind
of soil. We every year witness more or
less Of the different methods Of farming
corn land. Mr.. A. in the srring, carts
all OF his winter manure from his yard and
hovel windows, spreads it upon the green
sHard, with a good team and pillow turns
1t under eight inches deep, plants his corn
without applying any manure to the sur.
face or hill. Mr.. b. plows his green
sward in the autumn or spring, carts on
his green manure, spreads and harrows it
in, as well as lie can, plants his corn with
perhaps a little plaster. Mr.. c.. lets his
winter made manure remain about the
barn through the summer in the fall
carts 1t on the green sward, spreads,
plows it under six to eight inches; in the
spring, harrows and plants dropping a
spoonful Of plaster in the hill. Mr.. d.
plows under a coat Of long manure in
the spring; applies a dressing Of fine
manure to the inverted surface of the
newly plowed land, harrows well, and
drops a handful Of rich manure in the
hill at the time Of planting {; and is gen
orally satisfied with the result at harvest.
MIR. +. lets his manure lay over one year {;
then applies a shovelful or so to the hill,
at the time Of planting. His father did
so before him, and he is content to "fol.
low in the footsteps Of his ilIustrious pre-
decessor." Mr.. f. sows oats the first
year on "broken up land" in the fall APP
plies his manure to the stubble ground
aud plows-neIt spring again plows, and
plants with corn, and says he has easy
hoeing. Messrs. G.. Ii. and |. always
compost their green manure with swamp
muck, aud other materials-thereby great
ly increasing the quantity and value of
their manure heaps. The compost is used
by these farmers for their corn and
other crops as their different judgments or
prejudices dictate and last, though not
least, Mr.. j. lets his manure remain in
the yard through the summer; in the
fall carts it upon grass land, spreads it
and so lets it remain till next spring then
plows, harrows, and plants his corn, fully
satisfied it is the best way Of managing.