The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-20
5ian Corr

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. d CO.. rs a careful and accurate production.
VIII The author puts Ito highest yield II corr
. PEI acre, yet reached, at two hundred bushels
This was the yield Of single acre, on tbt
i farm Of Or. Parker, 81 South Carolina Ihl
] ordinary average per acreis paE down III abou
S tbirtytwo bushels. which IS probably TOT
7 large.
: According to the census Of 1860, the corr
crop of that year amounted, in the aggregate
: to eight hundred millions of bushels, which
, was FIVE times greater than the produce o
f wheat, and three millions in excess Of the com
, bined crops Of wheat, rye, oats, barley, buck
0 wheat, peas, beans and potatoes. The value
ofthe corn crop of $50, at sixty cents bushe
t which, probably, is too high an average
was seven hundred and three millions, two
, hundred and seventy-fve thousand, six hun
dred and forty -four dollars. Taking the rate
of increase between 1850 and 1860, and the
same valuation as before, the value of the
yield in 1870 ought to be one thousand and
fifty millions, nine hundred and thirteen
thousand, four hundred and sixty-s dollars.
But this increase cannot occur. 1t mi ght,
perhaps, be realised, but for the disorganisa-
ton of the labor system and the agriculture of
the South. These causes will probably re-
duce, for a number of years to come, the ag-
gregate annual produce of corn below that CT
1860.
In planting, the quality of the seed is a most
important consideration. Neglect of this is
sure to reduce the yield. The following rules
are given as guide Start with good vari
ETY., using none butthe best grain. Select seed
| from the stalks that have the most ears, taking
the best from it. The earliest ripe is to be
preferred, unless otherwise Objectionable.
| Those stalks that bear their ears nearest the
ground are the best to choose from, provided
the ear be good Select only such ears as are
large and fair, with kernel of a bright, clear
color. Prefer those ears in which the rows
are most regular, and the grains most uniform
in size. Choose those ears that taper the
least, butts little larger than their tops. Take
the central grains only from each ear for seed,
as it has been proved that the kernels taken
from near the end of the cob give smaller
yield, and an inferior grain. In buying seed,
choose that raised in colder rather than in
warmer climate.
bushels per acre may result from the choice
of seed. No amount of tillage with an infe-
rior grain will give other than an inferior crop
planting in powerful solutions, as they tend to
produce morbid and not a healthy growth. !.
A moderate coating of tar, diluted with water,
is recommended as the best protection in To- |
calities where the enemies of seed are numer-
Gus and destructive. Gas or coal tar is to be .
preferred, and should be applied only in linn
tied quantities and as evenly as possible.
The proper depth foF covering the seed, va
ries from one inch on heavy lands to three
inches on light Recent writer's strongly re-
the drill in planting as preferable to
the old method, and in a thoroughly pulyerised
soil its advantage is manifest but where clods
remain, and where tufts of grass are sprnkled
oyer the field, the hoe must follow
Killing corn is now regarded as detrimental
Nor should the onehorse pillow be used except
n cases of absolute necessity All the after
lllage, where the soil is light should be su-
'erfcial.
There is great diversity of opinion on the
question whether corn should be harvested
y cutting up at the roots. The Appleton au-
horlty contends that it is best on economical
rounds, as the stalk and blade, chopped and
Oixed with corn meal, constitute an admirable
God for all kinds of cattle.
Not less than thirty-four pages are devoted
0 the stalk crop; its feeding value, and the
alto Of the stalk to the grain but the Farmer
links the estimate of two hundred millions
f dollars as the annual value of the aggre-
ate crop of corn fodder, is absurdly high.
In regard to the cost of producing a crop Of
orn, we are told that after the absolute ne
essary expenses have been misunderstanding
ut the cost of manure and after culture-ey-
ny dollar expended increases the profit. Sup
ose the cost of blowing, planting. seed, har-
estlng and rent Of land for one acre be $12 so.
Assuming the yield under such circumstances
. be but fifteen bushels Of corn, the account
ill stand thus:
Total expenses, acre. .................s12 50
Deduct value Of fodder Observation-Disclosures. 3 90
Actual cost of Is bushels of corn ........... 50
L ffty-slX cents per bushel.
Add to this 50 50 for blowing twice and
arrowing, and "a 90 for after culture, and
he cost per acre will be $40 90. Deduct
y 20 for value of fodder, and the total cost
f thirty bushels-which he supposes the acre 4
D yielded under this superior cuIture-will be Il
IL so, thirty-nine cts. per bushel. But add a
. the "
Previous expense Of. $40 90 S
manure, Observation-Disclosures. 16 90
1upSo'i!!S' ..'..'...........,..... W
harvesting, l so c
$50 30
If we assume the yield to be 70 bushels to
le acre, and deduct the value of one-half the
lanure as benefing to that extent the sue is
eeding crops, and also one-half the cost for {
1bsoiling, as its effects are not limited to a
ngle year, the net result will be:
n
oIai expense ..,....................S3 500 so
Half cost of manure and subsong. ....... 8 so =
$50 90 z
Cost of seventy bushels Observation-Disclosures SIS 20
r nineteen cents per bushel.
This result, we are told, is theoretical; but
e are also assured that the figures are regarded -
5 reasonable and consistent with experience. M
he Farmer expresses no opinion, but is anx-
us to see the correctness of the theory proved {
? experiment on large scale,
LADY SHOP LIFTEa-At St. Louis, the other r.
", = respectable married lady entered "
shonabe store. and, while examining some