The Portland daily press., 1882-05-04
How to Plant Sweet Corn in Order
to Obtain the Best Result.

In localities where the raising of sweet corn
has never been carried on to any extent, the
question is frequently asked, "How is it to be
planted?" Although no general rules can be
made which will apply to the soils of dis
similar or totally different character, the fol-
lowing suggestions may be of value:
PREPARING LAND.
The same care should be used in ploughing
and otherwise getting the land in a suitable
condition to receive this crop, as any other. Use
what dressing would ensure you good yleld OF
yellow corn. and apply it in the same manner
either by narrowing it in or by putting 1t in
the hill. A great many prefer to use their
dressing in both ways-that is, spread a portion
broadcast, and put shoveful in each mill.
The same land that is adapted for yellow corn
is equally suitable for sweet corn, and the ad
visibility of planting on green sward, or on soil
that has been plowed and planted one season,
is merely matter of opinion which every good
farmer can decide for himself.
PHOSPHATE.
This is generally of value in starting the
crop, and is especially useful in late seasons or
in cold or late lands 1t is used by planters of
this crop generally, and will more than pay for
itself. 1t is applied in the hill at the rate of
$50 to 800 pounds per acre, and it must always
be covered with about one-half inch OF soil.
The seed will be injured or destroyed If it is
dropped on the bare phosphate.
PLANTING.
The hills may be q to feet apart, and the
rows 81 feet apart, Put from to 8 kernels of
corn in each hill, and destroy all but four stalks
at first hoeing. We would especially urge the
necessity of planting entirely by hand. 1t
takes but little more time, and the expe-
rience of the best planters who have furrowed
their ground and dropped the seed by hand,
proves that this is the only method which will
ensure good yield. We have seen and used
all kinds of machines and none of them have
given satisfactory results when used in plant
ing this crop. Sweet corn will grow success
fully where any other crop will, but like every
thing else, the land must be we'll dressed and
the crop properly cared for until 1t arrives at
maturity. 1t should always be hoed twice and
kept free from weeds. Neither sweet corn nor
anything else will grow on poorS land-land
improperly dressed, or only partially cared for,
or what is still worse, almost entirely neglect
ed. Give this crop the same care that you
give other crops, and you will find it the most
profitable one that you can raise.
VALUE OF FODDER.
The stalks Of sweet corn, properly cured, are
of great value, and too much cannot be said oil
manner or preserved by still better process
that of ensilage; and any farmer who has fed
them to his stock will at once notice beneficial
results especially in the increase Of both quail
ty and quantity of milk and butter. The
value of one acre of sweet-corn fodder is
equal, to say the least to one ton of hay and
many claim much more for it. 1t is ordinarily
cured in the following manner: Immediately
after picking what corn is to be carried to the
factory any particular day, cut the stalks and
let them remain on the ground until the next
forenoon. thus exposing them to the sun for
about y hours. Then tie in bundles of from
four to six hills and stack ten of these bundles
together with an extra or eleventh bundle on
top, SO arranged that it will shed the water
from the stack. 1t should remain in the field
stacked in this manner for three or four weeks,
when it can be safely stored in a loft. The
subject of ensilage is now receiving the atten-
ton of stock raisers generally, and suggests a
much more economical and better feed than
hay. Its utility has been practically demon
strated by some of the most successful breeders
of cattle, and many of the large butter manu-
facturers in this, as well as in other states
having practically tested its value, find that
the ordinary allowance of meal with ensilage
will yield more butter than the same quantity
of meal and the ordinary feed of 10y, while
the quality of the butter is equally as good as
that produced BY feeding on the best Of hay.
As most of the leading agricultural papers
have given directions for building an inexpen-
sive silo, we think it would repay any farmer
who has considerable stock to investigate the
matter.