St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-08-10
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.


Corn - essentially D 0uFIoce-rOOte0
plant, and is more liable to injury from
too deep plowing than cotton and other
cultivated plants. In its early stages
IL may be plowed close and deep. cut
ting and tearing away most Of the
roots that extend towards the middlcs
and across the path Of the plOw. with
out fatal results. But even while quite
small we have always believed that the
destruction Of the roots involved in
in such plowing as may be NECESSARY
on account Of imperfect preparation.
or recent baking rains. Is but choice
If evils at least Even at still fur
her advanced stage OF grOwth-up to
xnee hish-deep cultivation. though
cutting the roots more or less. may be
iustifiable. The conditions. however,
that will justify deep plowins at such
stage Of the crop. are generally the
result OF neglect or improper
management-wherc the ground Il 20
infested with weeds OF such size and
strength. or has been left unbroken at
all. that the barrow. sweep or cultiva-
tor will not do effective work. The
stage soon arrives when the remedy
il rs bad as the disease;" when to
plow, or '.turn out" is the question.
We utterly scout the idea recently ad-
vocated by some writers. that corn Is
ever benefited by root-pruning per Sc.
Assuming that the corn-fie!d was we'll
broken before planting. or deeply
plowcd the first time, we would dis
card tho scooter. shovel and other
roOt-breakers and use the surface cul-
tivator tnenceforward. A safe rule Il
70 use the plow or implement. what
ever its name or constitution. that will
thoroughly stir the surface and 20
over the greatest area in a day. A
broadcast harrow can be used until the
corn is ten inches high; then IN ex-
panding cultivator. or cultivatinR har-
row Is in order.
We are aware that these ''thoughts''
are not new. and possibly we may be
wearying the patience Of some of our
readers in ''revamping" them for this
occasion. Our plea is that Of all trades
or professions that Of farming most
needs the ''line upon line. precept up
on precept" style Of writing.
The cost Of a bushel OF corn or a
pound of cotton is directly and largely
dependent on the number Of burrows
laid in each row cultivated-the num-
Der Of times a man and horse travels
the length Of each row. We can not
afford to apply to an acre of land an
amount of labor equal to the value Of
the crop. rs is annually done on thou
sands Of acres in the South. A farmer
can not afford to hire and maintain q
stout negro man and strong mule to
manipulate q plOw that would not
over-tax twelve-year-old boy and a
yearling calf
In many parts Of the South the corn
crop will be ready to ''lay by" from
the middle to the last Of the month.
Let the last working be thorough but
shallow. All things considered. the
best time to SOW peas in corn is at the
last plowing. They shade the ground
more enectually and yield . much
larger crop Of roots and vines. and
often as much or even more peas. One
bushel Of seed peas to each acre Il
usually recommended. but We would
be governed by the quantity Of seed
available. Better SOW One-half bushel,
or even less. per acre. and SOW the
whole crop. than to SOW thicker and
cover . less area. We believe . crOf
| Of peas sown broadcast in corn. will.
under ordinary conditions. pay all the
expenses Of the corn crop. counting
the benefit TO the land rs well as the
value Of peas or vines gathered fol
forage.-Southern Cultivator.