Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-05-01
Corn Planting.

Some years ago when we were able to
be enthusiastic in all agricultural pur-
suits, and took special pleasure in per-
sonal farming and practical experiments,
we were in the habit of trying every
plan we heard of in regard to the prepa-
ration for and planting of corn. We
have compared fall and winter blowing
with spring fallow, re-falIowing with
narrowing, and the following is our ex-
perience: Fall and winter fallowing
with re-fallow just before planting is
the best of all preparations, and the land
need not, in fact ought not to be har-
rowed. Unless a fall or winter fallow
can be re- fallowed or very thoroughly
narrowed, spring fallow Is best. VIM
ter following is always deepest and most
thorough, and the action of the frost is
especially advantageous to heavy clay
soils. The re-fallow or very thorough
narrowing gets rid of all the first start
ing weeds and grass, and is equal to the
first blowing We tried a number of
experiments in laying off for planting
from the oldfaslion row with the single
scoop. up to Judge Rives' plan of laying
off with two-horse turning plow. We
tried also a plan for which Mr.. J. B. l..
Williams claims credit in an essay on
the production of corn, for which he
SOt a tDut vi lay luR Ou with
large, sharp shovel pl0w, followed by
large coulter sunk deep in the bottom of
the furrow. We foind (or at least We
thought we found) three things of abso-
lutc importance in planting corn. lst.
That the seed should be upon deep
bed. This can be made by subsoiling at
the time of fallowiDg, or by running
large coulter in the bottom of the furrOw
in laying off. 2nd. Tina, the corn should
be planted sufficiently below the surface
to leave the land level when cultivation
ceases. This makes the cultivation ca
sier, and makes the land less liable to
wash into guilies, and gives better bed
for the lateral roots with more moisture
in the middle of the rows. 3rd. Rolling
the furrow Immediately after the seed is
covered. This will make all the seed
come up about the same time, by crush
ing the clods and pressing the earth
equally about the corn. We have known
seed on which clod has dropped when
covered in the usual way, to remain un-
sprouted after most of the corn had
started to grow. Every farmer knows
that If horse walOws in field sown
in wheat or oats at the time of sowing,
the grain springs up quickly and evenly
this is simply the effect of rolling. A
few words as to tie preparation of seed.
There is great advantage gained by care
full selection of the best ears, and more
by selection Of the best grains-take,
therefore, the centre of the ears. An
additional advantage may be gained by
stepping the seed. From great number
of experiments made by US, we advise
the following: Steep 10 weak solution
of guano--use enough water to cover
the seed-let the corn remain until it
swells-pour off the water, and after it
dries sufficiently, take a pint of coal tar
to bushel of seed and work it thorough
ly in-roll in plaster and plant. Crows
and worms will disturb it very little;
the ammonia from the guano and coal
tar will give it a quick and vigorous
start, assisting materially the early
sprouting produced by STEPPING theseed.
We will leave our readers to manure the
land or their crop according to their own
views and ability, remarking that ma
nure in the hill always pays in the crop,
and that the produce of the hen house
and ash bank, if not used for tobacco
will pay well in thecorn crop.-Lynch-
burg Neacs