Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-03-17
Raising Corn and Pumpkins Conformity,

AT the last meeting of the Farmers
Club the question was. Will crop of
{ orn yield as well with pumpkins grow
ing upon the same ground as without
themp For the purpose of producing
degree of intensity in the discussion, and
of eliciting facts in favor of the cOnjoint
planting of pumpkins with corn and of
understanding whether it is right or
wrong, for the time being started objec-
tiOns and argued against the conjOint
planting. l learned to understand that
something more than a few partial OBJ
servations and an unbalanced opinion is
necessary to justify conclusion and lay
the foundation for a system and course of
action upon any important subject We
want no half finished job. We need facts
that cannot be subverted and cannot be
counterbalanced by adverse and counter
acting facts.
myself have observed much upon the
subject; being an enthusiastic lover of
nature, and having labored twenty sum
mers in corntields well filled with pump
kius. To the best of my belief have al
ways seen, as then saw, the corn at least
equally good where the vines grew. The
ground was shaded, kept moist and mel
low, and the strength of the manure was
not carried off by the heat and winds.
| have in anumbcr Of instances seen vines
with the roots plowed nearly out of the
ground-only one or two rootlets remaining
established-and so leIt for many days, and
yet the vines continuing green, fresh and
vigorous. The real nature of such facts
| never fully understood until long after,
and nearly thirty years ago, the venerable
horticulturist, the elder Mr. HOgg, escort
nI hip -
of orchids, or air-plants. Seeing these
plants fixed upon dry sticks of wood high
up from the earth and yet full of moisture,
life and vigor, green, growing and bloom
ing, | better understood that pumpkin
plants and other plants may likewise
drink moisture from the atmosphere
Further than this, the nepenthes or pitch
er plant does receive water into its vessel,
situated far above the surface of the
ground, and from this vessel imbibes the
water into its system. In considering this
subject, let us remember that in many
cases a number of different species OF
plants do grow upon the same ground and
all in tlou1shing and perfect condition
in n state of nature. Second-The foliage
OF the corn grows highly elevated above
the vines and is entirely unshaded. Third
The roots of the corn extend through all
the surface of the ground as well as di
rectly under the stalks, giving the corr
great range and choice, while the pump
kin roots are of very limited extent and
cannot greatly interfere with the corn
Fourth-The vine leaves, if plant
ed abundantly, will cover thu
whole ground, shade it perfectly, keel
down the weeds, and, being elevated abOu
a foot from the ground, secure q stratum
of still, cool, moist air, The wind anC
sun are kept from the soil, and evapora
ton, drying up and baking are prevented
The soil is kept cooler than the air above
and that, with the stratum of cool air ant
the moisture, attracts moisture from the al
above, as does pitcher of ice water il
a warm room, n cool forest of trees in
country, or a range of high, cold mount
aims from the surrounding regions Thu
moisture is constantly retained and accu
mulated for the supply of the corn roots
which effect could not be secured were tn
surface of the soil exposed to the sun ant
winds. The soil will be rendered loose
soft and permeable by the roots of the corn
The moist condition is favorable to tn
| solution and to the action of the element
ofthe soil and air, totheir combinations a
adapted to the use Of the corn. The COO
and moist condition of the soil and tn
superimpOsed stratum of air will attrac
nitrogen into the soil, and this will unit
with hydrogen and form ammonia for tn
| growth of the corn. Carbonic acid ga
and other elements of the mir and soil will
likewise become attracted, undergo analo
gous changes and produce like sustenance
The pumpkins, being principally nitrOg
enOus in vine and foliage, and but mod
erately ligneous, or of carbon, they attrac
but a small quantity OF carbonic acid ga
from the atmosphere.
We conclude by briefly, but earnestly
advising every farmer to plow deep ant
pillow under good coat of manure, to teet
the extended roots when they are gather
ing substance TO form the ears OF corn
Before planting place manure under tn
hills to start the corn vigorously. Do nc
pillow between the rows after the corn
two or three feet high, as il will destro
the extending roots. A harrow of bushe
drawn over the surface by one horse, AM
merely chatting the surface and keepin
down the weeds until the vines shall cove
the surface, is sufficient. Plant grea
abundance of pumpkins; they will tax
but little of moisture or nutrition from th
soil. If they are somewhat less beneficial
primarily or secendarily, than mulching
yet they cost much less in both expens
and labor, while they yield profit Q
themselves, and all the advantages q
mulching are proximately attained
Therefore, cover the ground well wit
pumpkins, that magnificent plant, th
harmless vegetable and dnubly usefu
crop, and glorious old companion of oui
selves and our appreciatiye, shrewd an
venerable fathers. Corn will grow bette
with pumpkins than without them.-
Israel JarDis, in N. y. Herald
FoR pickllng or table use Pruss,ngs Whit
| Winr Ninegar "a uDrivaled TrV n