Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-04-22
Cultivation of Corn.

least moderate sized hills for corn
were as follows: IF the corn was
equally sure to come up, deep plant
ing would be preferable, that is from
three to ixinches in depth, for it
W uld make a stronger growth late
in the season. II sends its roots
lower as well as allowing equal
chance to lanify upon the surface.
The corn would be much less affect
ed by dry weather, and the stalks
would stand against the force ofrain
and winds which often do it much
damage. 1t is less liable at this
depth to be attacked by worms or.
pulled by crows---Now in lie alb
scnce Of deep planting most ofthesc
desirable results would be obtain
ed by giving broad hiIls of moderate
hcight-and this billing would bcin
accordance with the demands Of ma
turc which caused most large grow
ing ANIMALS to thrive better when
cultivated with drawing more or less
earth to their roots. On the oppo-
site it was maintained that killing
corn was contrary to nature that
the corn sends out prop roots q little
before the tasscls shoot, sending
them from a Joint next the ground
these roots are numerous and upon
all sides Of the stock, tough and
woody in that portion above the
ground bit tender and very branch
ing beneath. These prop roots
were evidently Intended by the wise
economy Of nature not only to fur
nish abundant nOarishmaut at the
time Of greatest demand for the pro-
duction Of the pollen, the shoe ting,
perfection and filling Of the cars,
but also for bracing and sustaining
the plant, daily by its increasing
weight becoming more liable to pros
tration from wind and rain.
The farmer who hills or ridges up
the plants by a cuItiyator cuts and .
spoils these aerial roots, for it is the
nature Of these roots to be in part
above ground and if covered they
will cease TO thrive, nay more nature
will strive to send out new aerial
roots still higher up which will be
too late and too little perfected !;
hence the corn will lose its rich and
much needed noarishmcnt and be-
come the sport Of every gustof wind
or fall Of rain, while the farmer look
ing at his earth-made hillocks will +
be saddened and disappointed at the
sorry department Of the corn. The !
soil when kept perfectly level would !,
oe less affected BY drought than +,
When thrown up in hills or ridges. Il
CULTIyATING AND HOEING. Il
1t was agreed by all that the ST
ground should be thoroughly pulyor- d
zed before planting, but a diversity o
# opinion prevailed in the discus g
ion relative to stirring the cart, du es
ing the growth Of the corn. 1t was ca
rged that the soil should be fire. st
uently and deeply digged with the III
lltivator and horseshoe until the IT.
nooting Of the ears. Others would I'll
Sc the cultiyator only at tile first Ii
ocing, completing all subsequent k
ultiyation entirely with the hand e.
oe, confined to the cutting up ofthc N
reeds and smoothing the surface. V;
The reason given for deep and 81
onstant stirring of the soil were cl
hieny these The weeds would be l.
norc completely subdued. The soil Il
you'd not become hard but being fl
.ept light and porous would active Il
absorb lertilizing gasses from the "
lir and rains, thereby adding great Ii
y to its fertility and keeping up that fl
50 necessary for the G
continued growths Of the plant. This 5
leep stirring of the earth kept the i.
soil loose aud allowed it to be filed a
up with innumcrable root-hairs of /
rapid growth and quick roproduc- 9
ton when bro zen or discovered /
which taken up 10y their stomata the II
hourishment from the ready soil. c
Again deep and constant stirring Of c
the earth kept it moist. A man dig |
ging the soil around plants with a 9
hoe, would bring more moisture to a
the roots in half an hour than he h
could bring with pail in half a S
day. This was accomplished by the
increased conducting power of the
soil. The naseent state of the soil. L
which makes the great difference be- +
tween ITS power in spring over the v
fall in promoting vegetation and 0
rapid growth, was kept up by often t
and deeply hoeing while if left I'M n
stirred, the soil become hard, baked n
down, dry, impermcable TO the f. v
brous rootlets, dead as to active fer, y
and producing p over. p
Unless a great amount of barn.yard /
manure had been applied to assist in "
keeping the ground open and in ac- c
uYlty, the empty corn bin would taunt a
-hc farmer with neglccting the plain Y
cst maXims Of deep and thorough