The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-05-05
CORN RAISING.

PRACTICAL NOTES FROM PRACTICAL MEN.
AS the corn campaign is at hand, a few
opionions of farmers may be of use. About
seed corn, writer in the Cincinnati Gazette
gives this hint: The kernels growing near
the lower end of the ear are decidedly the
best for planting. Someyears ago planted
four rows ofcorn through the center of a field,
and the difference could be seen as far as 1
could count the rows. It was evident that
this difference was owing to the fact that the
four rows were planted with corn taken
near the lower end of the ear. The next
year planted four rows in a field with kerr
nels taken near the top end of the ear. The
result was that, owing 70 frost occurring On
the 18th of September, not an ear OF good
corn was to be found on the four rows
planted with kernels near the top of ear.
The growth was not as large, and 1t was two
weeks longer in coming TO maturity than
the rest of the field. planted with kernels
from the butt end. This experience at once
convinced me which part of the ear ought to
be planted. By noticing these results, and
by carefully selecting the seed corn in the
field, and by judiciously plantinga and hoeing,
have succeeded in raising seventy-fve
bushels of corn per acre: Before under
took this method i could only raise fifty
bushels of corn per acre.
III. Z. Smith, of Magnolia, ILL.,, writes to
the Prairie Farmer: L have an excellent
implement use for cultivating young corn,
q tool should like to see in the hands of
every farmer. 1t is a nine .toothed cultiva-
tor, with the central shovel taken cut; goes
broad end first (cross inside trsces). 1t siirs
nearly the entire soil of both rows and runs
very close to the young corn; and the ground
being we'll pulverized before hard. 1t does a
beautiful sob, and leaves the rows in good
shape for a "Blsckhawk," or some other
large cultiV2tor; (leaves little furrow close
on each side Of the CORN. Two plowings Is
all I give my corn, and do not pillow deep,
except the ground was plowed very early,
when I would straddle each row as soon as
planted with the "Blackhawk," and cross
Immediately with the harrow. To recapitu
late, my system IL, pulverize thoroughly
with roller and harrow-drill, or put in 70 VS.
but one way-end cultivate thoroughly, but
not deep after corn gets up; and might add
str away at yoGr ground, but do not be in
toe big hurry to plant. If young farmers
viii try my plan and get a nine -toothed cul-
tiTstor like mine (which any farmer can
make after getting proper sbovelsl he will
not have any grass to cover up" al his last
plowiDg. ~. M
LESSON IN DETAIL.
R. Gray, of Leroy, Illinois, tells how
he raises corn in a very intelligibleway in the
Pr,irie Farmer First then, as to breaking
the ground: From long experience, am
great believer in shallow plowing-four
inches at most in depth, fully pulverized, not
half broke. cut and covered, leaving burrows
and ridges alternately, which should be done
only when the ground is in good condition,
not too wet. and as early as all fears of frosts
are cispelled. Select only good, well-ripened
corn, and do lot get too large variety, SO
that IL will mature only under the most IA
vorabls circumstances, and nots so small as to
make husking too tedious; in this matter Of
seed, perhaps more fail of raising good
crop than in any one particular. / consider
three feet, eight inches, as near right for the
distance apart of rows in this latitude as can
ever be attained, and in all cases, check-rCw
your corn. There may he exceptional cases
where drilling will do as well on new