Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-04-07
From the Western Farm Journal.

indian corn. III is Dy TINS inter-
change of views that we arrive at
more correct conclusions. May it be
our motto, "none too high to learn,
none too humble to instruct"
1t would be a trespass on your
time to write an elaborate essay, had
l the ability, on this subject. What
we desire to know is, the careful OBJ
servation and experience Of practic;
mon. We can already see the future
Of this great staple. In It's near APP
proach we can see the many millions
of men pressing upon us for bread
and for meat. TO Indian corn we
look as means TO save, when want
and famine shall appear not only At
home but abroad. Next to wheat, it
takes a high rank as bread-proauc-
ing food for man. For the rearing
and feeding of beasts of burden, and
for the production of tiesh-producing
animals it has no equal.
In the cultivation of this grain, as
well as that of all others, we have
been, and will continue to be, subject
to seasons of adversely, owing to eli
mate changes, over which man has
had, as yet, but little control. 1t is
part of a wise system in agriculture
to provide, as far as possible, against
.hese adverse times, and we believe
that no cereal promises SO sure a
guarantee as Indian corn.
We can truly say of maze that 1t
has been cultivated from time imme-
mortal, in the most careless manner,
in almost every cline, and often un
der the most unfavorable conditions.
A. y very serious or widespread ene-
my has never yet appeared as its des-
troyer. Ma ule, in her great works,
has left to man no greater legacy
The nation or people that first gave
it culture and brought it into use is
lost, not only to history, but almost
to fable. Whether known or I'M
known, this gift will remain their
grandest and proudest monument
With all Of our inventive skill, and
the many uses to which we have APP
piled this valuable plant, we have as
yet failed to convert paper stock Of
the husks into paper We have not
spun its strong tibrcs into and woven
it into cordage. austria has COM
menced this work.
Yet these are some of its capabiii-
ties, and only await the inventive
mind of our people to add additional
value to this great staple. Who will
be the coming man that will econo-
mize these vast resources now wasted
on the prairies of our State?
The cultivation Of Indian corn is
so common Il business, that, to the
ordinary observer, no further light
can be thrown on the subject. Some
will say that it has attained its high
est development in production. This
is true but to a very limited extent.
TO make it a success it must receive
the most thorough culture. 1t mocks
at the idle and II gligent man.
Some of the following points
should be observed in its successful
cultivation: The friability Of the
soil, in winter or spring, should not
be destroyed by the tramping OF
stock, where corn or any other grain
is to grow, when it (the soil) is full
Of water, The, smoothing harrow,
after the pillow, should be freely used,
both before and after planting.
No. farmer can afford to re-plant.
This implies the Necessity of good
seed, and to be doubly sure, 1t should.
before the time of planting, be care.
fully tested. Connected with good
seed, a proper depth (say 2 inches),
time, and condition of the soil con-
sidered, is required, Equally import
ant is it that the planter drop with
but little variation, say three kernels
to each hill; it more are dropped, it
requires labor to remove those in ex-
cess, which is seldom done; the re-
suit is an excess Of plant growth, but
diminished yield. A level culture,
SO far as possible, believe is anoth-
err guarantee of success in the cult
yation of this plant. Under this
mode OF culture the roots more free
ly expand, and the capillary attrac-
ton of the soil Is better secured.
The successful cultivation of this
cereal implies also a proper rotation
Of crops. As fertilizer for this pur-
pose, clover hol Is a high place. 1t is
cheaper than any other, SO far as test
ed, and carries with it other import
ant advantages, some Of which will
hereafter be mentioned. Our system
Of agriculture lin Illinois) is Of too
recent date tor us, as yet, to deter
mine how often this plant (clover)
;an be repeated; no failure having as
yet taken place, SO far as | know, ex-
cept from severe freezing. 1t is per
maps known to many OF you that it
b rs for some years past failed in por-
lions of Europe where too often re-
peated, say oflencr than every seven
Or eight years. The cause is not full
" known, only that it has exhausted
some clement necessary for its nutri-
ton. l will here speak Of another
reason why rotation should be carried
out IN raising corn. The stalks of
The corn remain, as a rule, III our
State, during the winter rs pasture
mostly for cattle. My experience is
that the loss of stock-cattle and
prevalent in our county
and State, is owing largely to the
want of tree access to water and 4
green spot on which stock can every
day feed. TO comprehend more full
ly the danger from dried leaves and
husks, we must consider the quantity
OF gastric juice that would be neces-
sary to prepare the same and make
available for absorption and asslmlla-
ton by the digestive functions OF the
When the animal becomes
diseased from lack of water, or other
cause, the gastric juice will cease to
flow, this dried mass will then remain
and will add increased If
yutat;on to the GENERAL state rs ner