The Russellville Democrat., 1883-02-01
Two Ways of Husking Corn.

Corn -husking time Is approaching. and there will soon be great crashing and ripping in the fields. Some farm- CTS begin early in the season, stick to it, and finish without any commotion, while others wait until winter has come in earnest, then they go at 1t with as much hustle and turmoil as though their lives depended on the number of ears they could husk in 8 day.
 Years ago worked for farmer who be- longed to this latter class. He was com- paratively mild at all times except dur ing harvest and corn-husking; then he became veritable whirlwind. He al- ways raised from 150 to 200 acres of corn, and when he concluded it was time to begin husking he would be up at three o clock in the morning, start the fires and have all hands out at four. breakfast at five, and then we would drive out into the cornfeld and jump about 10 keep warm until it was light enough to begin work. When rain storm came on he would stick to his rows until they were finished. and com pei us to do the same if we were wet to the skin. On Sundays he would have us grease the wagons, fix up the cribs, and get everything into shape so there would be no necessity for stopping and no time lost during the week. He was considered by his neighbors thrifty, driving farmer.
 Finally, he ovcrdid the driving part. A cold rain came on and as usual he kept on working until his wagon was filled and he was wet through. That night he was attacked with infamma- tory rheumatism, and he died the fol- lowing night. As 1 was most familiar with his plans, was requested to take charge of the farm and finish the sea- sons work. l changed the programme at once. We slept until five, had break fast at six, and were out at work when it was fairly daylight When rain or wet snow-storm came on, we quit work at once. AS a consequence, the hands were always in good spirits, worked well, and we got out full as much corn as before.
 Some farmers make great point of stripping off every particle of silk and husk. They will paw away at an ear to pick it clean while they could husk half dozen if they went right along. If the corn is going into dry crib-and it certainly should not go into any other there is no necessity for taking of every particle of silk and husk. If tho corn is fed to stock neither do any harm. If shelled for market, the shell Ter will separate the corn from all trash. If it is sold in the ear, the grain dealer will not give a cent more for corn that is picked perfectly clean than for the same quality with the silks and few husks on.
 | It is asserted that rats and mice de- stroy more corn in the crib when the silks and few husks are left on. If the cribs are properly built and few good cats kept about, there will be no pereeptible difference.
 Some assert that the silks accumulate and retain moisture, and thus injure the the corn. Only in cribs that were un- covered, and the corn exposed to all kinds of weather, have l seen it SO. don't believe in leaving half the husk on; but when only a leaf or two fails to come of with the bulk of the husk, instruct my men to throw it and not waste any time on it. l find it pays; because when paying men high price to get the crop under cover, l want it done as quickly as possible.
 My method of gathering corn the past few years has been to provide each man with team and wagon. The team be ag driven astride the last row husked, the man husks the two rows adjoining. When l have occasion to put two men to 8 wagon, each takes one row. Thus no corn is destroyed, or trampled in the dirt. A high side board is placed on the farther side of the wagon to prevent corn from being thrown o,er. l consider sixty to seven ty bushels good days work for one man in good corn.
 If the horge on the near side pulls of any corn, we fasten strap to his bit and tie him to the names of the other horse in such manner that he cannot reach the corn. while at the same tjme it does not interfere with his drawing his share of the load
 We select our seed-corn as we busk. Whenever we find a perfect ear we throw it to the forward end of the wagon; then, when the lead is emptied at the crib. these ears are readily picked out and sacked. Cor. N r E1Gnai,ser.