The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-03-25

Prepasing Cor. Grsund.
Corn ground should be plowed, II
possible. as soon as the weather per-
mits as the action of the frost will
render it fine and save labor OF prep
aration later in the season. One
mistake usually made with corn Is
that of not thoroughly pulverizing
the soil previous to putting IN the
seed. AS the ground cannot be
planted before danger Of frost bas
passed. time may be obviated by
performing the work of preparation
early, not only by plowing but by
frevuent narrowing. If ploughed as
soon as the frost is out of the ground
and the land left in Thorough condi-
ton without harrowing) the clods
and Jumps viii be torn to pieces by
expansion and contraction, due to
heat and cold. The land may be
left until nearly time for planting,
which will give the early grass and
weeds a chance to germinate, when
the pulverizer and harrow should be
passed over the ground until the soil
is.as fine as it is possible to make 1t.
The best method of manurlng is
to haul the manure to the ground
in the spring while the earth is hard
1t should be evenly spread and plen-
tifully applied. 1t may then be
plowed under at the first plowing.
Some farmers prefer to haul out the
manure in the fall. in order that the
frost may operate upcnit during the
winter; but this should not be done
unless the manure is spread over
ground that has been recently plow-
ed. as therains will wash away much
of the soluble matter. If applied IN
the spring it will also be subject to
such danger, but not to so great an
extent. But for the heavy labor OF
hauling manure over plowed ground
the best way to apply manure is to
spread it over the ground after plow-
ing, allowing it to remain until the
pulverizer and harrow are used,
which will incorporate the manure
intimately with the soil. If the
manure is hauled in small loads,
however, and spread over the ground
from the wagon, We would suggest
that it be spread over the plowed
ground and narrowed in.
In using seed the climate must be
taken into consideration. Corn is a
semi-tropical plant, and requires
plenty of heat. Many farmers are
| led astray by tempting inducements
| to try varieties that are prolific, en-
deavoring to secure certain kinds
that produce from three to four ears
on each stalk. What is most desired
is early maturity ; but the greater
the number of ears and the taller
the stock, the longer the time requir-
ed for growth, and hence the farmer
should aim to select kind that he
knows will mature in his section,
though he should endeavor to pro-
cure the best most suitable TO his
soil. Corn is a grass feeder, and
cannot be injured by too much well
rotted manure, especially if the
ground is thoroughly prepared. AS
starter" in the hills, which is
not necessary on all soils, mixture
of land plaster Zone part), guano
Zone part and superphosphate (two
parts) will be found excellent, a
heaping tablespoonful scattered over
the hill being sufficient on good soil.
If no manure is used apply on an
acre, broadcast, 200 pounds of su-
perphosphate, 100 pounds of sui
phate of ammonia, and 200 pounds
of muriate of potash. Nothing will
be needed in the hills for starting the
crop.
Corn may be " checked four feet
apart each way, and the cultivator
should then be kept in use until il
grows too large to admit of being ca.
silly worked. No grass or weeds
should be permitted to grow, and in
the dry season the frequent use ofthe
cultivator will be found beneficial
Another method ofplanting is to lay
off the rows four feet apart and plan,
the corn one foot apart in the rows
thinning out all the plants in each
hill to one. This gives each plant
plenty of room, and produces the
largest yield. As soon as the corn il
Isix inches high a one-horse pillow il
used, which should turn the earth
from the corn. After it makes fur
ther growth the pillow is again used
but this time throwing the eartf
back to the corn. After the grass
begins to appear the cultivator il
used; but once during the season th'
hoe may be required between th'
hills.