The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-12-07
ssed.Corn and Corn Culture.

Happily much more interest has been
shown during the last few years in the
selection and preservation of seed corn
than was formerly the case, and vet the
interest is not so universal as the i'm
portance of the matter demands, and
we would like to see. Among all our
other misfortunes this season, which
have resulted in an inferior crop of
corn, q considerable amount of poor
seed operated toward the same result;
and If q few suggestions to those who
have thus suffered will aid them to
avoid like difficulty in the future, we
shall be abundantly repaid for making
them, and they will be equally we'll paid
for reading them. 1t is no longer
thought possible to produce the best
corn from the poorest seed, or to grow
| any crop, inferior or otherwise, from
seed which is destitute of vitality.
Perhaps il would not be correct to say
that it was ever thought that these
could be done; but certainly in times
past 1t has looked as If kernel of
corn was all that was desirable, re-
gardless of its intrinsic merit. In our
rapid march of progress in all arts and
industries, we have learned MANY new
things in regard to the workings of ma
ture, and have learned to apply the
principles of science to all our work in
the fields. In the growing of corn we
have been taught that the principle OF
like producing like is as applicable a.
| 1t is in the breeding of live stock, and il
there are any who still persist in
planting poor seed, or rather in.
ferior seed, they are still growing
inferior corn with what would seem to
be discouIaging regularity. Without
wasting time or space in elaborating
upon this phase of the subject, it Is
quite sufficient to say that we must
have good seed, seed that is possessed
of vitality, and seed which is like the
corn we wish to produce. To this may
be added that a crop which is so vastly
important to us as individuals, and az
. Nation. as corn, should receive the
best and most studious attention in its
culture from the selection and preserva-
ton of the seed to the harvesting of the
crop; and it is pertinent to remark in
this connection that our farms do not
average what they should in corn. Not
only is this owing often to poor seed,
| and imperfect cultivation, but not infre-
| quently to poor or comparatively poor
land Poor land is not profitable under
any circumstances, but it never proves
| more improbable than when planted
to corn II the land is in fine condi-
tion, the crops will be enabled to get q
good start in the spring, and get out OF
the way Of drought, and some other
common dangers. During the past
season, which began so late that q great
deal of corn viii not even reach the
dignity of respectable fodder, we have
seen corn upon old barn sites. for in
stance, that was equal to any corn in
the most favorable seasons, while all
other corn in. the neighborhood was
backward and unpromising. Indeed
we have not seen q single field of corn
this season. on extra rich land, that was
not in excellent condition. Ii we would
consult our own interests, therefore, we
will bring up the condition of our land.
One lesson has been so prominently
taught this year that it would seem i'm.
possible for any one not to recognize It
The late wet spring of the present year
was disastrous to the corn. The ground
was so full of water that the roots
could not penetrate to any depth, and.
when the drought began. they were
near the surface, exposed to the full
force of the long, dry spell. Drainage
Is the lesson that such q state of things
teaches, and IL any one has seen thor
oughly drained field of corn this sea-
SON, he will profit by the lesson, for he
has seen a good stand of corn, in most
excellent condition. In q ride through
portions of Illinois not long since,
where the corn was literally burned up,
we came to a field where the corn was
of vigorous growth, looking as healthy
and promising as any corn ever looked.
The secret was in drainage. The land
was thoroughly drained.
Returning to the subjectof seed corn,
the strictest care should be exercised
in its selection while it is yet in the
field, on the stalk, and before the frosts
come. Keeping constantly in view the
principle OF like producing like, &c
through the field and select such earl
as are perfect, and such corn as Is
wished to be produced. Place this in
some position, safe from rats and mice,
as will enable it to be smoked and
artifcially dried. Tying it up, and sus-
pending it from something is good
plan. Then thoroughly smoke and dry.
The creosote which comes from the
smoke is a preservative, and the corr
will be found in the spring to be full ol
vitality and vigor. This has been oul
usual plan, and when we have neglect
ed it we never raised as good corn o,
We did when we followed it. Care in
this respect will certainly lessen the
complaints about the failure of secur.
ing stand of corn, which are now &C
prevalent that they indicate that about
one quarter ofsthe seed corn used every