Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-30
SuggestIOns in Regard tO fhe CuIiIsi
tiOn of Corn.

SuggestIons in Regard to fhe CuIiI,a
tiOn of Corn.
A correspondent of the Southern CHI
hCatOT makes some important suggestions
ia regard to the cultivation Of corn, es.
pecially in view Of the fact that the crop
was a failure pretty generally through
out the South last year We have no
doubt, as suggested by the CH1hcafor,
that if farmers will try few acres ofcorn
of the early varieties, on really good
ground, for summer use, they viii be sal,
istied with the result 1t is not worth
while to 60 largely into raising this sort
Of corn, for the weeyil is much more
troublesome in it than in the kinds that
ripen later; but in connection with a
good crop Of spring oats, it will supply
the farmer with bread and keep the
teams in good condition until the main
crop is ready. Oar main object in re,
producing the communication to the Cul-
TRAITOR is to call the attention of corn
growers to the suggestions for remedving
droughts His experience is worth
great deal to the practical farmer. The
following is the communication to which
we have referred
As the corn crop of the past season was
80 great a failure, il is eXpedient 90 get a
new crop a. soon a. possible The gourd
seed variety, though the most valuable for
this climate, is very late, requiring six
months before il is ready for the mill
while some of the smaller varieties, a. the
King Phillips, may he ready for use in
four months, aud in very favorable seasons
ia ninety days. The past season, some
King Phillips corn was planted as an ex-
pertinent by three different persons, April
/. On the 18th of July this corn was dry
enough to grind, while the large varieties
were only in silk This variety can be
planted much closer, and thus makes as
great yield as the large variety. As il
rpens before the July or August droughts.
We may hope 20 have q crop when the /
gourd seed is a failure. While we would |
not abandon the large varieties for the |
main crop would il not be well for each |
farmer 90 try a few acres Of some small |
variety?
The corn crop is too important 10 be |
abandoned, and we must inquire what are |
the causes of failure of late years. for the |
average fall of rain is not less now than |
formerly. This, We think, can be shown 10 |
be the absence of vegetable matter lhamusl |
in the soil.
By observation it has been found that in |
s...sa al. a, e.
the results during drought are very differ |
enti e. g.: Wishing 20 make crop Of |
seventy bushels to the acre, ! manfred /
heavily four acres. In them was a fence |
row that had grown up with briars. 4 was |
tall Of mold aud new ground About half /
an acre was half worn out one quarter of |
an acre had been made very rich With /
stable manure put ON ten years previous. /
The other portions we're very much worn. /
but MANFRED nearly all of the field boun-
lituliy, with untermented manure, leaving |
A portion, however, unmanured. Ii was
cultivated twelve inches deep-in some
places turning up the clay, which had bat
little fertility aud no mold Soon after
the seed came up, a drought set in, and the
corn ceased 10 grow. Ii began 70 be effected
by the drought in the following order: !.
The poor unmanured portion . The re-
Gently MANFRED; 3. The old MANFRED 4
The hali-won unmanured: .. The fence.
Tow-also unmsnnred. The last appeared
to be little affected by the drought. When
the rain set in. the corn commenced 10
grow IN the reverse order 20 the above. A
second and more severe drought set in. dur
ing which the corn tasseled. On No. l the
stalks were very small No. ., much larger;
No. 3 very good No. 4, not 80 good as
No. 8, bat most Of the tassels uniniured.
No. D, stalks good and no tassels DESTROYED. |
No corn was raised in Nos. /, and 3 on
:, poor crop; on . the crop was good.
From this experiment, as from repeated
phserS alton, We draw our conclusion that
he remote cause Of failure in this case WAS
absence OF vegetable mold. almost as much |
~ the want of moisture The corn crop i.
pne OF clean culture, and therefore requires
repeated plowings during summer, thus
INSTANTLY exposing new surface totbesnn
by which much mold is decomposed into
Is elements, and thus wasted Mold ia one
orm of carbon. When this is consumed the
and is exhausted. The inorganic elements
Il grain NAV be plentiful in the soil. vet
partial barrenness may be the consequence.
or want OF the organic, 60 form the aluten.
starch, sugar, oil, etc, of the grain. The
irsi indication of the wearing ont of A soil
: its liability 10 bake and its inability 10
'ithsiand drought. We frequently hear il
aid the climate is changing, and the
thoughts are greater The fact Is. our old
ands will not produce corn as they used
o do, while the new lands DO we'll. and |
land the heat Of summer An new soils
re uil OF mold, in 4 state of partial decay
- repeated cultivation and exposure to the
an, much 81 q - deComposed and formed
nIo carhonic acid gas a part of which Is |
onsomed by the plant. and much wasted IN |
lac ar. II a. not possible H. estimate how
auch The crop consume. bat Is thought d
hhl more damage is caused hv the repeated / ,
HIiiNalion, thau by the removal of the / Z
TOP stalks and grain. The productive
ehon OF mold is thrceiold its change nv d.
rcNY anio gas, Us power OF shsoTbing gss 4 1
Ioin tue ar, aud by holding moisture
lold suslains vegetation. for Il Is the "a. J
lains OF previous living vegetation.
NJ eartiis DO not thus possesses Ibis r,,,,.r q,
absorption Ilays or sands do not q
hey may be cultivated and watered NV
he most genial Of seasons, but no profts.
Sc produce can be yielded, until mold in
JIne form Is applied
aoid q also valuable az a non-conduciar
nSat, thus keeping the roots cool, while q
PC piaat has the advantage Of the light
I'D beat Of the sun.
hls might lead 20 the inquiry. from =
hsH.s DO plants draw moisture other e
' s' rom ~ ram bot time forhids In our #
So ~ slll inquire; Hos NAV mold b.
esi preserved in the so.l aud bow rss,'',-3 %
iteu exhausted