New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-26

more Just CdlCuihIoh'
On the Cultivation of Corn.
From the Sou heru Cuitivator1
There is perhaps, no crop made in the United
States that is justly entitled to so much Importance
as that Of In consequence OF this fact, it is
natural to suppose that every man would eagerly
adopt any system by which he could improve its
production. The success of this crop, we think,
depends in great degree upon the manner in
which it is planted and the preparation of the
ground previously. A badly planted crop, with
out the necessary, thorough preparation, with an
Indifferent stand, and the land hard when too late
to remedy, may generate difficulties which may
not be overcome through the year. Unlike many
business operations in lite the result of inatten-
ton cannot be remedied by future exertion it
matters not how great We should give our close
personal attention that the planting be done IN
good order The majority Of failures that are
complained Of by great many farmers, and at |
tributed to want Of rain, worms, ETC., | have no
doubt originated in this way There prevails an
opinion among farmers that at the season Of the
year at which planting is commenced everything
must move with a rush, without regard to conse- |
quences in order that the work may not get be-
hind at later period Of the season. In this way
many failures in crops made that would not
otherwise occur. In this crop particularly this is
the case. We should, then, begin in time to have
our lands thoroughly repaired, that we may rea-
sOnably expect large yield
We should, by all means, have our corn land
deeply and closely broken previous to planting
and we confident with proper cultivation, we
shall be renlunerated for our trouble. There are,
we know some lands that do not require much
thorough breaking before planting; light loose
lands, and such as have been in cotton the year
previous, may be prepared by listing, and after
planting by breaking out the middle deep and
close with long and tOlerably narrow scooter.
We deem it extremely important to have the
blowing done deep and close before planting is
commenCed for if neglected at that time, there
will be no chance to remedy the error, which may
prove fatal to our crop hence the necessity and
Importance Of thorough preparation before
planting. In addition to this we should by all
means have our seed put deep in the ground. If
our land be old or a stratum of clay near the top
we should, after laying of the row with large
scooter run counter or bull tongue in the bot
tom of it in order that it may be broken deep,
without mixing the soil with the clay. 1t is well
known to those who have closely watched the
growth of corn that there are lateral roots which
spring out near the top of the ground, and grow
in every direction. 1t is then necessary to plant
pretty deep in order that each time it is worked
fresh dirt may be placed on the roots; otherwise,
the support which is afforded by this means will
be cut of from exposure to the SUM- The rows
we think should be made with long, large
scooter, that it may be sufficiently opened to re-
.ceive the seed at reasonable depth; by this we
mean to cover so the corn will come up to gooC
stand this will depend great deal on the judg
ment of the farmer. As regards the manner o
covering, prefer to cover with the hoe, tina
we may select the soil to go on the hill. BY Thu
method we are more certain to get good stand
the pillow where the land is not too old and liab
to bake; in this case we should strike off witt
boards just previous to its coming up.
As respects the distance of planting corn, we ar
to be governed to a very great extent by the qual
ity of the land planted. 1t is reasonable to an
man, that our common uplands VIII not pr0duc
as closely planted as rich bOttomla lands; we shout
then always plant in proportion to the richness
the land, taking care never to have it too CLOSE
We think as general rule, on the majority of sue
lands as are cultivated in middle Georgia, that a
average of about four feet each way will be tn
safest plan to ensure crop. When plante
closer with plenty of rain, the yield would
greater and should we have dry season, tn
falling off would be in greater proportion,
planting drill corn which we do to preserve OF
lands we generally run our rows four and a ha
feet apart with two grains in hill. This plan W
think preferable to wider rows, as 1t saves plo'
ing and hoeing, and appro&lmates nearer 10
square, which we think given space is require
to make good corn propOrtionable to the streng
of the land, and all over that is certainly vast
If circumstances would authorize the preference
we would prefer the hill system, as being better
make a full crop and easier oscultivation but Il
propriety of saving and improving our iands ma
caused us to adopt the horizontal or dill system
planting. We should endeaVor IN planning,
have as straight rows spossibe, thatwe may pic
close to the corn when it becomes necessary
commence working 1t.
So soon as we think the corn has been plant
long enough to be up we should go over ana ca
fully replant it, that it may all be thinned at o
first working, which will begin as soon as I
planting of cotton is through. At this time
should begin and give it a thorough working W
the pillow and hoe, breaking close to the you
plants with long, narrow pillow; the pow
should be deep and well dome. and su1clency
dirt drawn up with the hoe Upon the manner
which this working is done, will depend TO a la
extent the result of the crop. Corn requires
be worked early and we'll that it may mature
early as possibly before the dry season. Late
roots puts forth early, and the soil should be 10
and well plOwed, that they may readily penetr
We
opinion that this crop should not go longer t
sixteen or eighteen days without blowing it she
be arranged so as to pillow it at least in that II
BY Keeping the ground loose and deeply pillow
it will be more apt to imbibe moisture and
gasses that contribute so largely to the II
growth of this crop. AS the hoes follow the plC
the dirt should be loosened around the plant,
all grass and weeds taken out, at the same
thinning to one stalk, and drawing up loose
around the plant. In thinning, great care sh
be taken to pull up root and an or at a flu
time we may have the modification to see
putting forth again to the great injury of
which is left to stand We should be very par
lar at this working to destroy every sprg of e
that at season when we cannot help curse
may show itself with renewed energy. 1t is
known that the first grass generally givesR vi
the trouble in the cultivation of crop.
Our second blowing should, as the first, be
in a first rate style. We consider this plo
very important, and should be done deep; e
furrow should be filed with the next that pc
he'd may be formed for the roots to penetrate
This is the time at which we generally
peas, and for this purpose small ridge shou
left in the middle to cover them. A short
after the second blowing, we should make it
yenient to 60 over and pull off the suckers, tt
care not to do it when the ground is too wet
third blowing which is generally about the fiji
lime. is done shallow, with a well constr
sweep, followed by the hoe, in erder to make
NAV be termed Hat hill around the corn
will leave it clean, and constitutes the last
that will be required.
Our manner Of applying cotton seed as a
nure, is to take good handful and put h
each side of the corn, that all may be cover
the same time. These should be killed but
time previous to planting, that they may moi
bV evaporation or absorption. Stable manu-
apply very much ia the same way; it shou
well rotted, particularly on sandy land. We
this plan preferable to that Of dropping o