The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-03-17

The corn crop now demands the atten-
ton OF the farmers. In localities where
danger of hard freezes is over, the sooner
1t is planted the better. Where ample
provisions for feed of all kinds has been
made, by so wing largely of oats and 9TH
er grains, our readers will pardon US for
voted to corn. 1t may not be a profta-
bic crop compared with small grains, but
experience has shown that, as general
rule, it is decidedly better policy for the
farmer to raise than buy his provisions. =
To one living on a railroad or steamboat
thoroughfare, with and specially adapted
TO cotton growing, and with good sea-
son, it may be cheaper to buy corn than
to raise it; but how few, comparatively,
are thus situated, and who has the guar
antee of good seasons The corn crop Is
made during the first half summer-the
cotton crop during the latter half; it may
happen, therefore, that season be adj
mirably suited for a corn crop and yet
perfectly disastrous to a cotton crop. 1t
does not follow, because the cotton crop
fails that corn would have failed also, and
we must urge again, as we have done be-
fore, that two chances are better than
one.
For corn, land should be ploughed very
deep and thoroughly, to guard against
drought, the greater of its enimies in our
climate As farther safeguard against
the same, fiat culture is all important,
and to render this practicable, it should
be planted in the "water-furrOw;" or
where the land has been bedded, in the
bottom of deep broad furrow made by a
large shovel, drawn by two horses. This
furrow should be so wide that little
''list' may be thrown on the seed without
filling the large furrow Planted in this
manner, the corn makes its appearance
below the general level of the surface, and
permits dirt to be thrown to it in the after
workings, ridging the land. Our best
authorities say, that in the early stages
of cultivation, the dirt should not be
thrown to it too rapidly, allowing time
for the roots from the first joint to devel-
ope well, before those from the second
Joint shall have soil to form in.
Cotton seed is generally considered a
standard manure for this crop. 1t is one
which the nitrogeneOns element is in ex-
cess. as compared with other important
ingredients, and in substituting any other
manure in its place for corn, we should
follow this indication. All the small
grains and grasses (corn is a true grass,
delight in heterogeneous fertilizers. Some
of our enterprising farmers might do
good work, by making a series Of expert
ments, testing the value of different fer
tilizers for corn, as has been done in the
case of cotton. The practice of putting
manure in mass near the hill of corn, we
are compelled to believe bad one-a
part may be placed there to advantage,
to give the young plant strong, vigorous
start-the balance should be applied
broadcast, or perhaps put in the furrow
on each side of the corn, during the Sec
ond working.
We would again also suggest the plant
ing of portion of the crop with the seed
of some early variety of corn obtained
from the North-it may mature before
the summer droughts.
As soon as the corn crop is disposed of,
sorghum may be planted With many
improvements discovered of late in man.
ufacturing syrup and sugar from this
plant, we doubt not it would pay those
living where the tropical cane does not
grow, to make this one of their regular
crops.
During March, the bedding of cotton
land, and distribution of fertilizers should
be pushed rapidly forward, if not already
DONE 1t is desirable, after guano, DC,
has been placed in the ground and bed
ded on, to let the land remain undisturb-
ed for some three or four weeks before
planting. The manure should be placed
pretty deep in the ground, that it may re-
main damp in dry weather.-Southern
CultivatOr for March