Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-02-25
Farmers Column.


u
Valley Farmers Club; President s.
III. Rownd I'M the Chair.
The minutes of the previous meet
ing were read and approved.
Committee on drafting Order OIL
Business, reported and report adopt
ed.
Committee on securing rooms, re-
ported that the Club could use Coun'
Gil Hall.
A motion was made, that the initia.
ton fee for members of this Club be
fixed at Is cents. Carried.
An appropriation of $3.50 wa.
made, to procure. blank books and
paper, for the use of Secretary and
Treasurer.
Mr.. Spear and Tennison were ap-
pointed by the President to deliver
Essays at the Eext regular meeting.
The Discussion on Raising Corn,
was then resumed:
Mr.. r. Spear thought corn could
always be raised, let the season be
what it may. Said ground should
he plowed deep by turning up the
soil. The weather decomposes all
small clods, and deep blowing guards
against drought. Plow in the fall.
so the soil can be thoroughly decom-
posed. Manure on top,of ground and
harrow in. Has tried the large vari-
cites of corn and failed because 1t
has not ripened. Hereafter will be
content with smaller kinds, that will
ripen. If the season is hot and dry
you will have thick heavy husk, II
cool, the reverse.
Mr., Tennison said he hoped all the
members would take right hold of
this matter i'm earnest and tell their
manner of cultivation. He objects
to deep blowing, and says four inches
turned up is deep enough, but be-
lieves in stirring the ground under
deep. Manures in. fall on top.
Thinks narrowing when corn was
four inches high would tear it out
and break down stalks.
Mr.. Spear says he has narrowed
when corn was three inches high
and it answered well. Believes in
narrowing while small.
Mr.. Parker said he could not say
much about raising corn, as he had
not had much experience in Iowa,
but believes in deep blowing once In
every three or four years. Leaves
manure on top of ground after plant
ing. Believes inl rotation of crops
by putting on clover, rape seed, OF
something that can be plowed un-
der.
Mr.. May said hs did not claim to
be practical farmer. All be knew
about it was what he has noticed
while travelling over the country.
Had seen a great many good, and
many poor crops. On good sandy
soil, had noticed where weeds got
the start, it was diffiult to get them
subdued. Said he was very much
interested in the Club, but could not
give scientific lecture on corn rails.
ing. Had read the proceedings oil
other clubs In this county, and was
gratified to see how we'll they were
getting along.
Question by Mr.. Tennison: How
long shall we cultivate, and will late
cultivation injure the crop?
Answered by Mr.. Knapp: In my
opinion you cannot cultivate to
much. In late cultivating you some
times break the stalk, but can gen.
orally raise good crop by taking
pains; 1t may sometimes cost more
than can be got for it. In this coun'
try we should learn to cultivate the
best and cheapest way. i believe In
deep blowing. think blowing three
or four inches and stirring up below
is not good plan, as the ground
needs the action of frost and air to
decompose it. 1 would like to know
how to raise corn cheaper If il can be
done.
Mr.. Spear said we must always Gull
tivate well; but must we pillow deep
or shallow? Some farmers in one
section say pillow deep, and in another
pillow shallow. Why? Because the
soil in some localities is a loan and
can be plowed deep, while in others
1t is clay and cannot be plowed deep
and produce crops. He believes a
clay or sandy soil should be plowed
shallow, but would pillow in the fall,
as spring blowing does not give the
soil the benefit of the air. Ground
plowed deep in the spring will not
produce as good a crop as If plowed
deep in the fall.
Mr., Parker's reason for blowing
deep once in three or four years, is
that the ground is to cold when
thrown up oftener.
Mr.. Tennison says he cannot get
down more than six inches, because
he cannot get pillow to work.
A motion was then made that the
discussion for next meeting be Rails
ing Wheat.
Mr.. Spear said he had objections to
the question of raising wheat, as he
thinks the raising of said cereal to
be curse to our country at the pres
ent time, for he thinks the soil is
about worn out, and he thought the
question of Enriching paramount to
all other questions; and offered as
an amendment the following subject:
Raising Wheat and the Enriching of
our Soil. Carried.
Mr.. Joseph Parker was appointed
by the President to lead in the dis
cussion.
The next regular meeting will be
held at Council Hall, Saturday, Feb.
Goth, 1870, at o'clock.
All persons interested are respect
fully invited to attend.
J. A. LoATwALL, Sec.