Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-07-27
ru-
Fiat Cultivation OF Corn.


The idea of level culture for corn IL bv
40 means new one, though il Is. as VET.
iar run Deing put into general prac-
hce' AS long ago as when Judge Buell.,
we oeueVe 1t was, had charge of the
C"ItcdeoT before its union with the
country gentleman, there was much
'ald In favor of level culture for corn,
ana ne may have been among the first
10 nave favored it. So long has the
Idea prevailed that corn must be hilled,
hat this other method is slow to meet
with general approval "The stalks
Will blow down, if not killed." say these
advocates OF the killing system with
some show OF confidence in the argu-
ment, but experience has in more than
one case proved the contrary. Indeed
it sometimes happens that where the
corn Is hllled and is blown over by a
hard storm, the stalks are prevented
from regalning an erect position by the
pressure OF soil upon. them. A look at
the root system of the corn-plan. may
throw little light on the subject.
The main roots of this plant will
strike deep down, provided they have q
mellow soil in which to penetrate.
That they are pretty well fastened no
one will deny, if, when the stalks have
hardened, he tries to pull them up ''by
the roots The deep blowing of corn
is detrimental in some respects, though
pruning or the roots, which deep-plow-
ing accomplishes, is held by some to
check growth of stalk and favor the
formation of the grain; this on very
rich land, where growth is rampant.
In considering the support which the
stalk derives from the roots, we should
notice what part the laterals play. II
they are severed, then piling up dirt
around the stalk is quite necessary, be-
cause they are prevented from perform
ing. one of their important functions,
hence it is that deep blowing and high
killing must 60 together. Some farmers
make it practice of blowing as deep as
they can, and consequently must sever
the roots of the plant which in
months time will extend from row TO
row. Such practice is not advisable for
such a rapid-growing plant as the
maize, which has but short time in
which to grow and produce its grain.
Stirring the corn-ground, especially if
the weather be dry. is very advantage
Gus, and in level culture this is all that
is needed. In heavy soils, where there
is liable to be an excess of moisture,
killing slightly may be found more adj
vantageous.
1t may not be amiss in this connec-
ton to note the necessity of improving
the corn crop of the country in every
possible way, and it is claimed by many
that fiat culture will aid very material
1y in this. When we consider that the
average yield per acre for the whole
country was but about twenty-four BUSH
els in 1882, there is certainly room for
Improvement. There is many a farm
in Massachusetts and New York which
without extra cultivation can produce
thirty, forty, fifty and perhaps sixty
bushels to the acre, and yet, it is Just as
evident that there are many that do not
approach those figures. What are we
to do about it? Give a more thorough
preparation to the corn ground; pulver-
ize it until it is mellow and the mellow
er the better. Be more careful in the
selection of seed; in getting that which
has full vitality; in adapting variety to
climate and soil. Give the crop clean
cultivation and keep the weeds down;
let the surface be mellow and there will
be a noticeable increase in the corn crop
and, as a result, like increase in the
farmers revenue therefrom.-Co
Springfield (MdSS.) Republican