The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-02-01

An Indinna correspondent 9th Anssri-
Gun Karal Hsms, Rochester, gives the
following directions in regard 70 raising
corn:
For the benefit Of young farmers, wish
70 give statement Of some important
acts, learned BY long experience and
observation in raising corn. First-Never
raise two crops Of corn in succession on
land that viii not produce over seventy
Eve bushels to the acre. Always plant on
sod, if possible, broken up in September
or October, that ii may be crossed-plowed
Immediately before planting. Ifthebrcak
ing can not be done early in the fall, do it
as late in the spring as possible. Sod
broken later than the middle Of October in
heavy soils viii not decay sufficiently and
with all the narrowing that can be done
viii remain cold, heavy, ungenial seed
bed
l doubt If much is gained but time in
fall blowing for a corn crop. If the sod is
broken in April or May (the latter the
better, provided the planting is done by
May GOTH the decomposition of grass and
roots evolves suih cient heat toconstitute a
complete hot-bed, causing the corn to make
rapid and vigorous growth. The sod
should not be disturbed during the whole
grazing season farther than to keep the sur
face thoroughly scarifed. Commence cult
waiting as soon as the corn is up. Run your
cultivator close to the corn while small.
Work the field over as often as once in
eight or ten days for sixty days; if you do
this, you need not be afraid ofits being too
dry or too hot to pillow. The more you pillow
the better your corn win stand the drouth,
You need not be afraid to pillow corn too
long or late in the season, but never let
more than ten days pass between the
plowings. | believe that twenty-five per
cent. would be added to the whole corn crop
ofthe country by more thorough cultiva-
ton of the crop after it is planted. When
there is no turf to interfere with deep
lplowing, do all your deep blowing before
your eorn-tassels and silks are out, for deep
cultivation after that period will des-
troy and cripple large proportion Of the
corn roots, which should be avoided, If
possible. Killing and ridging the earth
up to the corn Is worse than useless,
Flat cultivation proves most satisfactory,
all things considered. Use the double
shovel plow, or cultivator, and keep them
going. Don't stop to hoe, but pillow, plow.
Never save fodder by topping corn, but
cut it below the ear | commenced top.
ping the first field of corn that / ever
raised, because thought it was too green
to cut up, and would shrink on the cob,
but BY leaving the lower part Of the stalk
with the ear it would ripen up with full
plump grains | knew no better then, but
a neighbor passing by informed me that
my corn was too green to top, but if
would cut il up the grain would moi
shrink, because it was portion of the
stalk above the ear that fed the grain dur.
ing its laststages ofmaturing and although
| did not believe his theory followed his
advice, and when I husked that corn,
found he was right ; for all that / topped
was badly shrunken and shriveled, while
that cut up at the ground was heavy, solid
grain. Besides, you can save more fodder
in day by cutting up at the ground than
by taking the tops above the ear.