The Red Cloud chief., 1888-04-13
GREEN

/ GREEN MATURING.
Crop of Corn.
The first settlers on the prairies after
a few years experience came to the
conclusion hat they could raise corn
indefinitely on the sam soil without
applying manure to it. They had some
reason for believing that they could do
this. They raised several crops in im-
mediate succession. and the yield did
not diminish. They therefore let dung
accumulate about their barns and
stables, allowed it to wash away. or
threw it into streams. They did NOT
think it WAS worth the labor required
to haul il to 4 field that was to he
planted tn corn. Some farmers in IN.
black prairie soil region Of Central
Illinois declared that the land was
just a little to rich 10 produce the bes,
corn. They complained because the
stalks were too large. AMI because the
land produced weeds of great size. The
first settlers of other portions of the
country also came 10 the conclusion
tha, it was not necessary to apply ma
nure to land intended for the produce
ton If corn. In Western New York
and Northern OHIO the pioneer farmers
largely engaged in contrasting paid
no attention to saving and applying
manure
1t was not strange that the first set
tiers Of most parts Of the country con-
cluded that it was moi necessary to APP
ply manure to orr land. They raised
large crops without it. and continued
to raise them during a succession Of
years. The land was very rich in veg
etable AMI mineral matter. The eie-
ments of fertility had been Gun
lating for ages. In the West Il turf had
been formed that was several inches
thick. BY its decay food for several
crops of corn was furnished. The thick
sod was several years in decaying. so
that all the plant food it contained was
not available at one time. As the hills
of orn were generally about four feet
apart. the same soil was not likely TO
be occupied by plants two or more years
in succession. Three-fourths Of the
soil in a corn field remained fallow
every year. 1t was kept shaded and
was being pulverized by the plow. cul-
tivator and harrow employed in tend.
ing the corn that occupied but a small
part Of the land. While 4: fourth part
of the land was furnishing food for
corn plants. the rem:ir'ier was being
put in a condition to produce crops in
the future.
But tho time came at Length when
this land would no longer produce
large crops Of corn. The reason was
obvious. Every portion of the soil had
been occupied by hills of corn. whose
roots had drawn the elements of fertil-
ity from it. The exhaustion of the ma
terial needed for plant growth was
slower than when the surface WAS oc-
cupied by small grains like wheat and
rye. because these plants are distribu-
toll over the whole of it and their roots
penetrate every portion Of the soil.
They are not rs gross feeders Is cOrn
plants are. but there are many more of
them and they are more dainty in their
appetite. Corn. like red clover. is a
scavenger. 1t will devOnr almos, every
thing found within reach Of its roots.
Its appetite IS keen and it requires much
to satisfy il. 1t does not leave much
in the soil for plants having shorter
rOots to sub.i>t upon. One who looks
upon a fine field of corn after it has at
tanned It's full growth can See how much
material has been taken from the soil.
After making due allowance for mater
ials obtained from the air. it is obvious
tina. tons Of plant food have been Sc
cured from the earth.
Granting that good seed is the first
essential to producing y good crop of
corn. it must be admitted that a boun-
tiful supply Of fer,iIiziag material is
second. Corn will not srow to a size
to produce ears in a poor soil. The
plants must be well fed Or they will not
produce grain that can he used for
feeding animals. New prairie soil will
produce several crops Of corn withou,
the assistance Of manure for the rea-
ons already given. But lanl that has
given up much Of its fertility to crops
that have been removed from the soil
must be supplied with materials that
will produce corn. The best general
purpose fertilizer for corn is stable or
good barn-yard manure. At one time
it was thought that the dung Of ami
mails should L., well rOtted before it was
used on corn land. and tina, it should be
applied directly to the hill. This is
still the practice in some Of the Eastern
States. where the soil is Of little value.
except as 4 receptacle Of manure. Old
and well rottel manure. applied to the
hill. is certainly of great advantage to
corn in the early stages of its growth.
but it is impracticable to use it in this
manner in large fields.
Roth scientific anil nract;oal faruorS