Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-06-14

deeply, but do not spread any distance.
This disposition of roots makes it nee.
essary to pillow closely and deeply in
the early development of the plant
When the corn has attained sufficient
age to begin the work of reproduction,
second and distinct set of roots are
rapidly put forth. They are very
small, thread-like, permeating the soil
in all directions for five or more feet
around the parent stalk, forming COM
plete network. These rootlets occupy
only the surface soil, and are rarely,
ifever, found at greater depth than
two or three inches. Their office is to
extract from the soil the elements nec-
essary for the formation and develops
ment of the ear. Now an intelligent
farmer, fully comprehending these
facts would not be, likely to pillow his
corn at that stage of its growth. The
primitive corns are disposed to pro-
duce a number of small ears on each
stalk. Our best improved corns will
rarely mature more than one or two
good ears to a stalk.
Land intended to be planted in corn
should be closely and deeply plowed,
thourughly pulverized and made level
by efecting narrowing. In the deep
mellow bed thus prepared, the seed
should be deposited uniformly at a
depth of not more than two or three
inches, and as nearly in the line as
possible. When the corn is fully up
the work of cultivation should begin.
If the land is close and hard, run
closely around the corn with long,
narrow pillow. q use a pillow that
straddles the row and plows both sides
at a time.) After this it is only nee
essary to keep the surface soil frequent
ly stirred, so as to destroy grass and
keep a porous surface presenting to
absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
When the tassels begin to form all cult.
walton should cease. If necessary
weeds might be chopped out with a
hoe. From first to last never break a
corn root if it is possible to avoid it,
) In all the cultivation of corn, it is i'm.
portant to keep the land very level.
Indian corn is, perhaps, the most i'm
portant of the earth's products. 1t
feeds more people than any other except
) rice; and as food for man and beast has
! claims superior to rice or any other
grain. 1t is steadily growing in favor
of the worlds estimation, as our export
reports will show. In 1850 the corn
crop of the United States was 592,-
OH, 104 bushels; in 1860, 1913, 1892.
TAI; and in 1870, 76O,944,549. The
| crop for 1882 is now estimated al
f 1900, 100000 bushels. Value of an
average caop of corn, s9OO,0OO,OO0;
: value of on average crop of cotton,
} 100000, 900; value Of an average CROP
of wheat. $5OO,OOO,OOO. The crop Of
: Indian corn Of last year, large as it is,
4 could easily be doubled by careful
r selection of seed and proper cultivation
Any variety of Indian corn will rapid
: ly degenerate if neglected. The first
s sign of degeneracy will usually be seer
, in the increased size of the cob, cor
l responding shortening of the grain.
t Corns with large cobs are not usually
proli6c-are slow in drying and dis
; posed to rot. Any good type of corr
l. can be maintained in its points of ex'
4 cellency, and often much improved.
t by careful selection and preservation
a Of seed with good cultivation. Nearly
y, all parts of the Indian corn have been
, applied to some useful purpose. The
Il leaves or blades we use as food fol
e stock, both in the green and dry state,
Sugar and molasses have been made
2 from the stalk in the green state
: When dry, corn-Stalks make the bes
:, bedding for our stables; being a good
e absorbent, nothing answers so well fol
/ that purpose, as they take up the fer
tilizing elements of the stable and hole
n them in a transportable form. Corr
it cobs are used for fuel; the ash is very
a rich in potash, and for soap making
g is superior to any other. The smoke
from burning cobs are valuable fol