Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-12-07


Hearth and Home
Cultivation OF Corn
Gen. j. G. Starkweather, of Ocono
mowoc, Wis, prepared for the Trans
actions of the Wisconsin State Agri-
cultural Society for 1870, an interesting
paper on the Cultivation of Corn, of
which we copy the greater part, as
hlows:
In my experience l find that for a
good crop of corn the land, especially
,Od ground, should be plowed in the
fall, instead of the spring, as is usually
the custom. This leaves the soil in
much better condition for the crop
it works and pulverizes better; the sod
is more decomposed, having had full
action of the frosts, sun and rains, and
is better fitted to furnish food to the
growing plants. 1t destroys the cut,
and other worms, so damaging to the
. growing crop
After blowing the land, haul on the
manure, and spread it from the cart, or
wagon as hauled out. 1t makes no diff
erence if taken out and spread upon
the snow in the winter, the spring rains
will so act upon 1T as to carry the chief
strength into the soil, and when culti-
Tated and dragged in the spring before
planting. that which is left will become
thoroughly incorporated in the soil
It is n well ettled fact, based upon ex-
periments, that manure spread in this
way, is of more value than any other,
| and nd OF "A 70 a nA loco
ihue of time and labor, and has the
. .dditional advantage of securing the
destruction of all the foul seeds it may
4 contain.
After the land has been thoroughly
cultivated and pulverized, making a
perfect garden bed of it, then roll it,
. md mark it off into squares, with Il
two horse corn marker, that will make
i0ur rows at time. Make the rows
four feet apart each way for the large
taIked varieties; three and three and
me-half feet will do for the smaller
Glieties, where the soil is good and
N proper condition-plant with the
zoe, having enough help to finish the
-eld to be planted in at least three
lays time. Plant as early as the
l ground is fit. [ am satisfied that we
l. put off our planting later in the season
than is advisable the result rather Of
tho press of work in the spring than the
| lear of corn frosts Corn should be
/ planted early enough to escape the
/ rost of fall; allowing about 1870 days
rom the time of planting to the time
Of maturity.
Soak the corn for twenty four hours
IN water, then roll it, or sprinkle it
thoroughly, with hard plaster, In
| Planting, put only four kernels in a
Al. In heavy clay soil, if early in the
sprng, plant near the surface of the
/ ground, and do not cover it so deep,
that it viii be out of the reach of the
warm N of the sun. Do not step on it,
l pound the ground down with the
hoe, after planting. When near the
surface the spring rains Will keep it
moist, and the heat of the sun will
oouse it sooner to sprout, and grow. If
Planted late in the season, it must be
Planted deeper in the soil, In order to
obtain the moisture so necessary to its
Eowth; for then the rain comes less
""4Uently, and the top OF the ground
oecomes hard and baked, and corn
Wanted near the surface, may remain
weeks dry, without sprouting, and
p some cases, where it does sprout, for
Fant Of moisture it soon withers up
'-d dies, and the field has to be re-
TAINTED. Witness the season of 1870,
+ fair and complete exposition OF the
NTH OF this theory.
After the corn makes It's appearance.
art the cultivators, and keep them at
TX almost constantly until the stalks
AVE become so tall and thick that a
'Ne cannot pass through the rows
.Aoit injury to the growing crop.
.-e more cultivation, the more corn,
npklns, and sometimes squash, are
"Ated with corn. and 1t is supposed
=. not detract much from the growth
Yield Of the crop but one thing is
.4.4, f they do no injury in this re-
nv the vines do interfere with the
@u4 complete cultivation of the
and ii seems To NE, that what
.rnsLment is necessary to grow
pumpkin, is taken from the soil,
Hecessarilv must take awav from
a much strength required for
lEHgrt,