Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-06-16
The Cultivation of Corn.

The constantly growing importance Of
our corn crop-a crop that can we'll be
designated Us the ''king' (for no other
crop Of this country ever aggregated >
billion and half bushels in one year, as
corn has done) makes any Information
regarding its culture important. With
out say ing anything about breeding seed
corn at this time, though | AIN con-
WINGED that at least one-third will be
added to our crop by this means alone
within the next few years, the subject Of
blowing is one that is Of no small i'm
portance, and needs to he carefully con-
sidered. My own experience and OBJ
servation have decided me as to two
things in blowing sod land for corn
spring blowing, and about four to five
inch burrows. Corn is plant that likes
heat and moisture, and likes quite as
well to have its fertility at the surface
Flowed late, two things will be secured
there will be no trouble from the grass
growing up between the burrows, and
clean cultivation is certain. Corn thrives
best upon decaying vegetable matter,
which sod newly turned, and expose to
the warm sun, quickly furnishes. Then
the decay of the great mass of roots and
grass develops fermentation, and this
adds heat, and with it ammonia. which
latter the roots quickly absorb-bo:h
valuable helps in throwing forward the
crop.
Land piowed in the fall must lose to
some extent two elements OF fertility !;
one is this active fermentation or decay.
Soils lying exposed to the soaking
storms of winter without the protection
of mulch must lose certain amonnt
of fertility by teaching. Stable manure
will benefit the crop even upon very
rich ground, and Ii good loads of stable
manure applied to the sod before plow-
ing will tell in the corn. A neighbOr of
mine last spring partially covered an old
meadow with stable manure before
blowing, and the value of the fertilizer
was about 80 bushels per acre above the
remainder Of the lot, though the unma-
nured lot was in every respect as good
soil. Land should be thoroughly
dragged and made as fine as possible
before planting, whether this is to be
done with hoes or planters, and u lot
well marked is about half planted.
Forcing the season does not pay. Corn
will not make any considerable growth
until the ground gets thoroughly warm.
Being tropical in its habits, corn WI not
terminate below 80 deg, and growth is
accelerated up to nearly or quite 81
deg. provided moisture is present. Corn
does not grow during cold, backward
spring; neither is it putting out roots for
future growth, for root growth is evi.
denced by blade growth. When the
land gets warm and cold nights are the
exception it is time enough to plant,
and corn planted May Goth will, as q
rule, outgrow that planted ten days ear.
lier. have in my mind now field Of
corn planted June Goth; pasture
plowed one day and dragged and plant.
ed the next, which yielded more than III
average of the corn planted Il month
sooner. 1t did not give so great growth
of stalks, but its corn was fully matured
The custom of planting field in pro.
portion to its fertility is becoming quite
common. A very rich soil will easily
mature double the grain over that ON 8
thin quality of land. Another point
should be considered. A great crop oil
corn can only be raised with sufficient
moisture to develop the growth. A soil
that quickly dries out will not produce
Is great crop as one that holds the
moisture, for corn is great consumer
Of moisture, and many plants make
large demands, which may be met in q
season Of average rainfall. The water
that would be sufficient to carry q field
planted four feet each way would in a
dry spell stint the growth if five or six
hundred additional hills were also
drawing their sap from the soil. As we
do not know the amount of rain that
will fall in a season, or Just how it will
be distributed. the crop should often.
times have the benefit O. the doubt.
But whether the land is very fertile, OF
whether we have 2,700 or $500 hills,
fat cultivation, and keeping the soil
clean Of weeds, grass, etc., each OF
which take up moisture that may be
needed by the corn, will do much to
economic the water supply of the soil
Every elevation of the soil above the
level gives SO much more surface to
give off moisture, and hills are only q
damage to the crop. for they not only
dry out the soil sooner, and contract the
spreading of the roots of the corn, but
they contract the brace roots so that the
corn is easier FRUSTRATED by storms.
Cultivate often, commencing by drag
ging it before it comes up, and after; al
least once with Thomas harrow. Dc
not cultivate deep enough to cut of
the roots. Root-pruniug is not neces
eary on one field in q hundred as 9
check to vigorous growth. Cultivate
often, but stop when the tassels have
nicely developed themselves. Corn doe:
not want to be disturbed when the fer
tiiization and maturing Of the ears i
going on.-C0r. Country Gentleman.