Middletown transcript., 1878-04-20
90rtnlhral.
Corn Culture.

good subjects Of raising corn is at
present under discussion in your ex-
cellent paper, | will give you my way,
and other corn growers can take it for
what it is worth. In laying down
rules for the planting and cultivation
OF any particular crop, it is to be
varied or modified to different soils,
seasons or localities. Even then we
are never sure of a crop, for we have
elements to contend against, over which
men can have no control. [ prefer
plowing the land in the fall, for it
then has the benefit Of the action Of
the sun, frost and atmosphere for sew
eral months, which help to make it
loose and friable, and it is also access
able earlier in the spring. It can also
be plowed much deeper in the fall,
and the weeds can be turned under
green and before their seeds are ripen-
ed-by turning them under green,
they will be much more available for
manure, and their seeds, as well as
many insects and their eggs which
harbor among them, will be DESTROYED.
II the land cannot be plowed in the
fall, make tia practice of not plowing
too deep in the spring. By plowing
rather shallow, the seed will then be
put in the soil warmed, mellowed and
otherwise prepared by the sun and at
mosphere, and made available for the
rapid termination of the seed, and the
young plants will then grow vigorous
ly from the start; and deep and Oft
repeated stirring will keep them grow
ing afterwards, and prevent the evil
effects Of continued drouth in course of
the growing season. Seed ought to be
tested as to its growing qualities before
planting. This will, in many cases,
save time and disappointment. l al
ways try to obtain my seed not too far
from home, for home grown corn is
always best suited to soil and locality,
and having been raised in a certain
locality for number'of years is per-
fectly acclimated. Experience has
proved that corn planted in drills fur
nishes the best results, and the thick
ness Of planting ought to be in proper
ton to the strength of the soil. If the
land is packed hard in the spring, l |
do not plow it again, but tear it up
with drill or cultivator. And fer
the first cultivation, [ place two long
narrow shovels on the cultivator, run
ming one on each side of the row as
close and deep as possible, and throw
ing the dirt slightly from the corn.
This lays the foundation for deep cul-
tivation, which should be done often
and thoroughly afterwards. If the
land is too wet or foul I let the hands
follow the eultivator with hoes, to de-
stroy any weeds that threaten to be-
come too large to cover up before the
cultivator comes again. This extra
labor is well repaid by the increase of
the crop and labor saved over check
sowing. To raise good crop of corn
frequent stirring is essentially neces-
sary, and more so on old lands than
on new-new land being yet more
loose and porous There can be no
such thing as too much cultivation
short Of tearing or wounding the roots
from the fact that from 80 to 80 per
cent. Of all that goes to make up the
plant, is obtained from the atmos-
phere; therefore, by keeping the soil
well stirred, we not only destroy weeds,
but chance is given to the roots to
absorb from the atmosphere the chem
ical properties necessary in making up
the plant. | also consider it best to
lay by the corn level, and not, as is
often the case, leave the rows standing
on high ridges, to be dried through by
a summers sun.