Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-06
The Corn CrOp.

To The Editor Of The Vermont Farm
Since giving the statement in repardo my
premium corn, it has seemed desirale to
mention a few other things about Using
corn. N
In 1916, | helped raise the only buiel Of
corn that was raised in Irasburah and 1und
for meal remember we'll how pleasal the
spring appeared, and with what hopi we
planted our seed among the stumps on ewly
burnt land but on the 9TH and sih oflunc,
snow came and lay upon the ground, al the
corn was killed. The season was coldatcr.
ward, and the corn only got well iub the
milk when it was struck by the au'umnilosts
The bushel | carried to mill was whv and
shruukeu, and the meal contained eod loal
Of bran,
Since 1916, have raised corn on ali iorts
Of land, with no preparation except si.iling
the hoe under the burnt soil and droppw Ia
the seed, and raised it with the most clrfl /
preparation Of soil and manure, and lean .
say there is no crop that looks to me SO pas.
ant as a good even crop Of corn, aud no gain
when harvested that is more satisiactor 20
farm stock aud fowls and the farmers fairly
| There is no waste about 10 the stalks arc
excellent fodder for cattle aud they ahoh as
much food as good crop Of hay on the SINE
ground, with a light dressing of manure.
now To RAISE corn.
| eau raise corn on land that is too por to
raise good hay. | like to plow a picc of
grass ground in the lall for my next picc Of
corn. Then get few loads of manre,
chip dirt and soil from under the stablc5lnd
about the buildings to make a compost hap
| add to this about five bushels of ashes nl
half a barrel of lime for each half acr, of
ground, shovel the heap over and mix Doe
whole together. think chip dirt better thu
muck, and ashes and lime kill or drive away
worms and bugs from the manure. ln spring,
harrow tho land well and mark the rows with
a small plow, being careful not to disturb the
turf If my compost is too dry | carry water
to moistcn it as proper dampuess Isl great
help to termination Of the seed, especially 10
r planting is followed by dry spell. Hike 90
plant from the 18th to the goth of My.
SOAKING SEEDS.
/ several days or hours is an injury. If tho
ground is cold the seed is likely to rd and
Il it is too dry it will shriycI up, aud the
starting sprout will be destroyed par on
S as many pints Of hot water as | have quart.
b. of seed stir it rapidly about minute
then turn off the water and plant thu corn
Continued soaking takes out some # III,
starch Of the kernel which should remin foi
o the nourishment of the young plant. If
. do not have ashes and lime in my compost
n heap | would scatter about Tablespoonful
, over the seed before it is covered dimpei
lime, ashes and plaster before | apply them
as they do not fly about SO much but go where
T | want them
= When the corn comes upmlny farmer SUI
fer from the deprodations Of
CROWS.
n fluid my best defense to be a small PORTO
of lime or plaster upon the hills, and bpc
of scrap tin hung up in the field the bright
ness Of the one and the white Of the ohc
b render unnecessary all images, strings, Sc.
= SEED CORN.
e should by saved by picking the earliest ripel
it ed ears in the field or the best ears viii
II husking, being careful that it is not heats
or frozen before it is dry, as either injure i
No ears should be stuck into a heating mo
ID in the barn, nor should they be hung oy,
ID other corn that may be drying upon foo
'. but leave one or two husks on each ear, bra
the husks together and hang the trace in Il
kitchen until thoroughly dry, then keep it
. dry, airy chamber through the winter
K is best to be contcnted with an early kind
ol corn that will ripen every year, as the iailu
" of the larger sorts discouragos farmers fro
,t raising corn.
- FODDER CORN.
h proves very profitable with me sowod OF
. piece last year with common corn, intendi
III to pillow it in, but it was Of so good a growt
ur the pillow would not cover it,, 80 | cut it al
K. drew it green to the barn, and mixed it wi
a. oat straw. 1t did not mould at ALL and DO
straw aud corn fodder are eaten clean by IL
w horse and cows sowed some sweet corn
>" drills with light dressing Of manure al
lily got good crop. like sweet corn best
at green crop. My corn fodder and straw "
ia last my horse aud COWS until the first
March without any hay, aud they are in 90
al condition. Fodder corn in drills 20 inch
ie' apart allows one hoeing, stands better in ha
m winds, is cut and put in bundles handily, a
TX. | think has more nourishment in it than
=. would have if grown thick so the SUI COZ
" not shine or the air circulate among it.
Manure from hens and hogs is very va
len able for corn, but should be mixed with th
rye times their bulk of muck, soil or chip drt,
hat the crop may be injured by applying the n
A. nure.
'n' On land that is rather cold for corn,
be will do better to turn two burrows toget
Ids, and plant on the ridge thus made, as wa
old dry soil is best for corn.
,ro. CHARLES NJ. CowLEs
Won Albany February 1872.
nut -,