Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-10-14
Sced.Cor and Corn Culture.

Seed. 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 yet the
interest is not so universal as the inn
portance of tho matter demands, and
we would like to sec. 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 a few suggestions to those who
have thus suffered will aid them to
avoid n 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 it has looked as il 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 ol
like producing like is as applicable as
It is in the breeding of live stock, and ii
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 discouraging regularity. Without
wasting time or space in celebrating
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 crop which is so vastly
important to us as individuals, and as
q Nation, as corn, should receive the
best and most studious attention in its
culture from the selection and preserva-
tion 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. If 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 a great
deal of corn will 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 al
other corn in the ncighborhood was
backward and unpromising. Indeed
we have not seen single field of corn
this season. on extra rich land, that was
not in excellent cond ton. If 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 yeal
was disastrous to the corn. The grounC
was so full of water that the root:
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 state of thing,
teaches, and if any one has seen thor
oughly drained field of corn this sea
son, he will profit by the lesson, for ht
has seen good stand of corn, in mos
excellent condition. In ride through
portions of Illinois not long since
where the corn was literally burned up
we came to a feld where the corn was
of vigorous growth, looking as healthy
and promising as any corn ever looked
The secret was in drainage. The lane
was thoroughly drained.
Returning to the subject of seed corn
the strictest care should be exercised
in it's selection while it is yet in tn,
field, on the stalk, and before the frost
come. Keeping constantly in view the
principle of like producing like, @
through the field and select such ear
as are perfect, and such corn as i
wished to be produced. Place this il
some position, safe from rats and mice
as will enable it to be smoked anC
artiticialiy dried. Tying it up, and sus
pending it from something is a gooi
plan. Then thoroughly smoke and dry
The creosote which comes from th
smoke is a preservative, and the corr
will be found in the spring to be full O
vitality and vigor. This has been on
usual plan, and when we have neglect
ed it we never raised as good corn a
we did when we followed it. Care il
this respect will certainly lessen tn
complaints about the failure of secur
inc n stand of corn which are now a
one quarter OF the seed corn used ever.
year is worthless. = Western Rural