The Grenada gazette., 1888-05-12
IN THE CQRN-FiELD.
Ths Economy OF Thorough Preparation
of the Soil.

The Economy OF Thorough preparation
Of the Soil.
The time for planting corn varies
with the latitude and after that de-
pends much upon the weather As
soon as the days are mild and the
ground warm, whenever that may be,
is safe rule in all localities. Three
conditions are essential 10 the pro-
duction of paying crop of corn
namely good seed. rich, friable soil
and thorough tillage. Progressive
farmers have demonstrated the econo-
my Of thorough preparation of the
soil for the seed; indeed. not few OF
our most successful growers advocate
and practice as best and essential the
cul tivation of the corn previous to
planting; that is to say, they do not
use plow after planting but let all
the deep culture of the soil preceede it
Where manure is required. the bet.
ter way is to SOW it broadcast and
plow it in, if it be coarse, or harrow ii
in if well puiverized and decomposed.
When manure is thoroughly incor.
porated in the soil the roots of the
plants are certain 10 take it up, and
the development of ear and grain will
correspond with that of stalk and
leaves, which is not the case when a
limited amount of fertilizer is placed
In the hill or drill only To gain the
best results from the employment OF
stimulating elements in hill or drill
available plant food must be near at
hand, and in sufficient quantity. to
carry the plant, once started, on to
the perfection of its growth. An
early start is a great point gained.
and the employment of fertilizers in
the drill is of decided advantage, pro-
vided. as has already been told. the
soil outside contains sufficient food tc
keep up the growth of the plant
Poultry manure and Peruvian guanc
have each rendered valuable assist.
ance as stimulators, applied in tbs
drill.
Large areas are nowadays usually
planted in drills. and corn planters
and cultivators are very generally
adopted. It is generally conceded
that planting in drills induces the
greatest yields, other conditions be.
ing even. Flat culture is being very
generally adopted for the corn crop,
it having been long ago proven that
hills are not required. as was former.
ly supposed, for the support OF the
corn plant There is also q saving o.
labor in the fat culture system.
A plan of drili culture favored by
some on light and naturally dry up
land is what is known as tho 'furrow
SYSTEM of planting. The field is
broken up as usual and made level.
At time of planting one thorough har-
rowing is given and the ground laid
of and thrown up into five-feet beds.
the corn being planted in the fur
rows between the beds. The object
of this plan 10 to insure moisture tc
the crop The fertilizers are sowr
in the bottom of the burrows and
mixed with the soil by running
along the furrows a sharp single
shovel coulter or dragging chair
through il. Then the seed is dropped
and covered. The after guilty alton II
done with cultivators, which gradually
level down the surface of the beds, re
turning the soil to the corn and leav
ing the general surface lev el wher
completed.
As to the matter of seed, farmers
are advised for their general crops, t.
plant such varieties as in former sea
sons have proven successful in 'hei
own localities and in similar soils
Small plots may be proiitably EN-
ployed to the testing of new an'
promising kinds introduced by trust
worthy seedmen or other farmers. -
~ y World