The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-13
Methods of OuItivating Corn.

Philadelphia Record.
Corn lie now the most important crop
which will receive the farmers considera-
ton until it is fully matured and harvest ted
1t ia a semi-tropical plant and requires
plenty of heat and moisture. In some Sec
lions the most productive varieties can not
be grown owing to the short season Tor
growth, and consequently every advantage
of quality and yield must be sacrificed IN
order to obtain early maturity. In tbs
south the white flint varieties are preferred,
such corn giving the best results on soil that
would be reproductive with the yellow
kinds. The fints also serve greater um-
Der of purposes, being especially adapted to
the making of hominy and finer quality of
meal.
The usual method of cultivsting corn is t,
CHECK" it off into rows four feet apart each
way, with three stalks of corn at the intersec-
tions OF the rows. each bill consequently be-
ing four feet in every direction from the
next. This system is what is known as the
level mode of cultivation, the cultiyator
only being used, except, as is sometimes
done, the harrow is passed over the field
when the plants are very young. No hoeing
is required in thus cultivs.ing corn, as the
work is done in two directions, and hence it
is considered labor saving. Toe mode is SO
well known as to require no suggestions
here.
There is another method of cultivation.
this section, which deserves attention from
farmers. Il is to plant corn in rows four
feet apart and from eighteen inches to two
feet apart in the rows, according to distance
preferred. Three grains of seed are allowed
to the hill, but after the corn is six inches
high the two weaker plants are drawn out
leaving the stronger one only standing. By
this arrangement the ground will have one
stalk of corn growing every two feet in the
rows, whereas in the check" system there
will be three stalks every four feet Il is
PLAIN that the latter method allows of a
much larger number OF stalks to an acre,
while the cultivation is easy. With the
stalks two feet apart, the pillow Zone horse is
passed close to the corn, throwing the dirt
from the plants, leaving the rows ridged up
with ridge In the center, between the TO US
OF corn. This is done to prevent the labor
OF boeing. as the young grass is destroyed
by the pillow. After the corn has made
further growth and the grass has again ap-
peared the plow is once more used, the dit
being thrown back to the corn rows. Later
in the season the cultivator is used between
the rows. while single hoeing suffices to
destroy the grass between the rows until the
corn is safe from intruding weeds aud grasses.
The point to be observed ia that while the
check" system requires less labor, and al
lows OF greater number OF stalks to grow
on an acre, the pIan OF allowing each stalk
OF corn tn be two feet away in one direction
and four feet in the other from its neighbors,
gives it greater feeding room and less COM
petition in its struggle for plant food, as the
worst enemy plant can have is another of
the same kind growing by its side. III such
. method of planting does best on inferior
soil, there is nc reason why 1t should not in
crease the yield on fertile soil. True, the
number Of plants will be less. but the corn
having greater opportunities for growth, es
pecially when young, will mature earlier,