The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1870-05-20

Corn rnlture.

am corn is the most important
rofitable of all our grain crops,
rShe one which most of all needs
culture. 1t is unnecessary
for me to say that it needs good
ground, thorough and deeply pulver-
lied. for all know that. Therefore ]
shall begin with the preparation of
the seed. In the first place / make it
a point to have good seed of a good
variety that | may plant as many
grains as | want stalks and no moro,
thus being sure of good stand
without the trouble of thinning out"
I mix half gallon of SCOT with a tub
half full of rain water, made about
milk warm. / then fill up the tub
with my sced-shclled of course
letting it remain twenty-four to lhir-
" six hours, kept at about the same
temperature. After soaking it must
be planted and covered rs soon as
possible, for if allowed to dry the
germ will be destroyed. Prepared in
this way it will come UP much sooner
and start of with more yigor, the root
being very stimulating fertilizer.
] plant in hills three and a half feet
apart each way with three grains III
each hill, thereby getting more stalks
per acre than by planting four feet
each way with four grains to hill,
and more evenly distributed. They
are thusrlaetter exposed to the light
and al he roots more readily
reach 8 Of the soil. In the Sc
cOnd nc most difficult and inn
pOrtant 6IJe5dtion Ofthe whole season,
getting ahead of the grass and weeds
at the start, L successfully accomplish
ed in the following manner, doing the
greater part of it at the same time
covered the seed. In marking Oft the
ground not more than two inches
deep, l take pains 10 have my rows
straight and equi-distant for greater
convenience in cultivating. ! coYeT
the seed with two-hOrse corn cult
yator, turning the shOycls slightly TO-
wards each other, and throwing 4
ridge six or eight inches high on top
Of the corn.
When the sprout is about two inch
cs long, thoroughly harrow across
the ridges until | have the surface
Thus the corn is just ready
to come through, a fine mellow sur
face, aid all the young grass and
weeds are either covered up or their
roots exposed to the sun while they
are young and tender and easily kill
In day or two more a rolling
Of benefit. Do not be afraid
OF Spelling the corn by narrowing.
There is no danger Of that, --eYen
should you neglect few days too
long. Treated i'll this way before the
grass can again get up, the corn is
large enough to admit of the use OF
the cultivator. and once having the
start of the grass it is easy TO keep it.
Many farmers allow something else
TO occupy their time and attention for
a aeT days just when they should be
at their corn, and when day is worth
more than week at a later period d.
Here, if anywhere, "a stitch in time
saves nine," or san ounce of proven
tive is worth pound of cure Re-
member the two maXims and act ac-
cOrdingly, for if allowed a few days
growth the grass in the hill cannot be
covered up, but if destroyed at all,
must be hand pulled-an operation too
slow and tedious for a large >ticld of
corn.
| used a four shovel cultivatOr with
shields, and can cultivate as necessary
without having the .clods fall on the
corn. At the first ploughing.e
ploughcd close and deep, each time
going shalIoWcr and farther of SO as
not to interfere with the roots as they
extend farther froIu@he hill. / Guilt
Vatc as often as once in ten days; bet
ter once a week until the corn is too
large. -