News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-04-02
FARM AND GARDEN.
SOME VERY VALUABLE IMPORTATION
ABOUT CORN CULTURE.
Outcome of the Hundred Bushel Club
Described by Waldo f. Brown.

In IT I offered several valuable pre-
miums for the largest yields of corn.
The conditions were that competitors
should send in their names in spring as
members of "The Hundred Bushel
Club" and agree, by careful selection
of seed and soil, to try to raise 100
bushels on an acre, and that they should
with the report of yield give also details
of cultivation. Nearly one hundred
joined, and eleven raised 100 bushels or
more, two reaching ITO bushels and one
118 bushels. From reports sent I no.
tlced that in nearly every case these
crops were grown on sod land, that the
hills were little closer than four feet
generally 81 or 3 2-3), and that much
more work was done on the land before
planting than is usual. The average
yield of corn per acre for the United
States is little above 80 bushels. and |
do not for moment doubt that by fol-
lowing q rotation which will give q
clover sod for the corn field. and q more
thorough preparation of the soil and
better culture, the yield could be
doubled. Ii we plant 81 feet apart each
way, it gives 3, $50 hills to the acre, and
with three stalks to the hill and the
ears averaging 8 ounces each, we have
yield of II bushels of 70 pounds to the
acre, which is equal to II bushels of
shelled corn. Now to grow 100 bushels
to the acre we must either increase the
size or number of the ears. The size of
the ears can be increased by a more
equal distribution of the stalks, as is
done by drilling, or planting in rows 2
feet apart, the narrow way with two
grains in hill will give an increase of
some 800 stalks to the acre, and also
probably larger ears than three stalks to
the hill.
To grow 100 bushels to the acre re-
quires combination of favorable con-
ditions. l. Good land thoroughly pre-.
pared. 2. Good seed of a good variety
so as to insure a perfect stand and
strong vigorous growth from the start.
3. That cultivation begin early and be
most thorough until the corn is large
enough to shade the land. There are
three points connected with the manage
ment of corn crop which consider of
great Importance. l. That the land be
well prepared before the crop is planted,
and to insure this pillow early not only
that may have time for the necessary
pulvefizlng. but also because land which
has been plowed few weeks and been
settled by rains will crumble better than
fresh plowed land. 2. 1 plant near the
surface. Instead of marking out the
rows with pillow and planting in deep
turrow where the corn has but little
mellow soil under it, and gets little heat
from the sun and is liable to flood in
heavy rains, [ use sled marker with a
runner of 3 inch plank with both edges
beveled SO as to make a mark three
inches wide and about the same depth
like this V. There are two advantages
connected with this plan of marking
the corn is SO near the surface that when
covered the land is nearly level, and by
going over it with plank drag it can be
made perfectly SO; 2. The shape of the
furrow is such that if the corn is
dropped by hand it rolls to the centre,
or If drilled in with the one-horse drill
the wheel follows this furrow, insuring
a straight narrow row, so that at the first
working the pillow or cultivator can be
run close to the corn.
The third point in successful corn
growing, particularly on uplands in
clined to be cold, is to pillow as early as
possible with a bar pillow, turning the
soil away from the corn, and piling it in
a ridge between the rows. This can be
done by the use of the rolling cutter on
a light bar or turning pillow, as the cut
ter acts as fender, and enables us to
run within two inches of the corn with
out covering a stalk, as soon as it can be
seen in the row. The rolling cutter not
only protects the corn from being COW
cred, but also cracks and loosens the lit
tie ridge on which the corn has been
left. and this soon warns up in the sun
End the corn starts into vigorous growth,
But this is not the only advantag e, for
the earth between the rows is heared in
sh arp ridge like sweet potato ridge,
to the certain destruction of any weeds
chat may have started. These ridges
do not pack in the rains, and at the sec
ond working of the corn this earth is
mellowed and brought back to the row
covering the roots of the corn and
smothering any weeds which are making
a start. This method of cultivation is
of especial value Oh lands which are
naturally cold, but even on the warmest
bottom and black prairie soils, it is the
best possible plan to give the crop an
early start and thoroughly clean it. We
have now in Ohio a double pillow ar
ranged with two rolling cutters. and but
me handle to each pillow. They are
:, 9upled together both front and rear, by
an adjustable wooden bar, and can be
sci to run any desired distance from the
col n. These are used with two horses
astid e the row, and pillow a row on both
sides at the same time. For the first
pIown G of corn l have never seen an
lmple nent that would do as good work.