Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-26

dAURR COUNTY FARMERS CLUI
Regular sHonshiy EIec.ing-The Cul
, tlvation OF Corn-Discussfon of tn,
Question.
One noticeable feature of late In. tn
current history of Tennessee Is the in
creased attention paid to agricultural mat
tiers and the establishment of Farmers
Clubs in many counties in the State
Many of our citizens are awake TO the i'm
portaIce of new and improved methods
of agriculture, and the frequent assemb
ling of farmers at these meetings cannot
failto be beneficial. Wehaye, from time t.
time, presented full reports of the David
son county Farmers Club, and as Clut
has lately been established in Maury
county, the Farmers Club reporter of the
UNION AND AMERICAN paid visit &c
Columbia Saturday, for the purpose OF
taking a few notes among the Maury
county farmers. Our readers will see
that they have some talking farmers in
Maury as well as in Davidson.
The Farmers Club of Maury County
held its regular meeting on Saturday,
March 25, at the Courthouse, at Colum.
bia.
| As it commenced raining early in the
morning, the weather doubtless had some
effect in diminishing the number of men,
bers in attendance, but Notwithstanding
this fact, the proceedings were of an in
teresting character, and the regular dis
cussion was animated and entertaining.
As the President was absent J. L.
Williams, ESQ.,, was called to the chair
and presided over the deliberations of the
| meeting.
MIR. Joseph H. Dew, the Secretary,
read the minutes of the preceding meet
| ing, which were approved.
The regular question for discussion was
"The relative value of grasses for hay,
and the best machinery for cutting the
same but in consequence of the fact
that it was rather late in the season to
discuss the grass question, the subject
was changed to one more appropriate to
the season.
The Secretary made a brief report in
regard to procuring more suitable hall,
but as the representation of members was
not as large as usual, it was suggested
that this report be deferred until a full
meeting.
REGULAR Observation-Disclosures OF
CORN.
Col. d. T. Wade said: At the meet
ing preceding this / should have liked
very much to have heard the opinions of
gentlemen of experience in relation to
the best manner of sowing small grain
and grasses. The time for that has now
passed, and l think that, in future, it
would be well for the club to appoint
committee to select such subjects as are
best suited to the season of the year they
are to be discussed.
Capt. L. w. Black-I agree with you;
for if, at the last meeting, we had dis
cussed the question of sowing our small
grain, we could have profited by the dis
cussiOn Immediately, and one man would
have had an opportunity of profting by
the experience of others. Therefore, if
we discuss any question to-day, suggest
that it be something that will be applica-
BILE between this and the next meeting.
Col. Wsde-We are just entering upon
the corn season, and | suggest that we
discuss corn and its cultivation.
On motion of Col. Wade and Capt.
Black,
CORN AND ITS CULTIVATION
was made the subject for discussion at
the present meeting.
Capt. Black-I would like to hear from
Mr.. Estes, whether it is best to drill corn
or check it9
Mr. d. J. Estes-I have been in the
habit of drilling my corn. l have plowed
my land deep, with two horses, and have
dropped the corn about eighteen or twen-
ty inches apart, one grain in place.
fluid that can make more corn that way
than by checking it. have commenced
planting this week.
Col. Wsde-Do you prefer white or
yellow corn
Mr.. Estes-I prefer white corn. l
have been told by some persons, though,
that the yellow corn is the earliest.
Col. Wsde-How about the number of
plowings9
Mr.. Estes-I generally plow my corn
four or five times.
Capt. Black-What do you use the first |
timer
Mr.. Estes-I use small bull-tongue |
pillow, and put that in tolerabiy deep. / !
follow then with the turning plow and a |
bar to it. Then, after that, l use larger |
bull-tongue pillow.
Mr.. Dew-Do you use double shoYels |
Mr.. Estes-Yes sir, used one last |
year and was very well pleased with it,
and | used five-.ooth harrow, an expan-
sion harrow, that l found great help to
me.
Question-Have you ever sowed corn
Mr. Estes-I never have.
Question-Do the moles trouble you
muchl
MIR. Estes-Not great deal. In plant
ing drill corn it would be better to use a
bull tongue plow. l would lay off the
burrows with the bull tongue plow. l
prefer a shallow covering. l straighten
with the turning pillow, and follow with
the bull tongue plow.
Capt. Black-What is your opinion as
to the rotation of other crops with cornl
Mr.. Estes-Wheat is very good thing
to follow with corn.
Question-What distance do you give?
Mr.. Estes-Four feet and half, aud
then l drop one grain in hill, having
tbs hills from eighteen to twenty inches
apart. think my corn will ear better
where it has one stalk in place.
Capt. Black-Thst corresponds with
my limited experience last year. l tried
planting one grain in place about twenty
inches apart, except that l did not run
put the water furrow. Thrilled my corn,
but l dropped one grain once in every
twenty inches, and then l went over and
-eplanted. The result was that almost
every stalk would have two ears, though
all had at least one good ear, and l had
1nly one grain in q place. have tried
planting with two grains in hill, and
nave tried checking, and l am satisfied
hat we get more fodder with the drilled
;orn, one grain in hill, aud more corn
70 the acre.
Mr. Williams-Do you think 1t requires
IS little labor to cultivate with drills as
With checks2
Capt. Black think you can cultivate
he checked corn with less labor, because
you do not have to hoe it, and you cult
rate more acres.