St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-25
DRILLING CORN.
The Experience of a Writer in the
Cincinnati Gazette on the Sub


Ject.
The method of drilling corn is des-
tined to gain favor among prosperous
farmers. Although there is great di-
versity of opinion in regard to its mer-
its and defects, it must be conceded
that more bushels per acre can be
raised by this mode than by the check
row method; less labor is required in
preparing to plant and in planting;
and there is less danger OF field being
washed by heavy summer rains.
By the common method of check-rOw
ing field must be furrowed one way
before planting is commenced; whereas,
when drills are to be used, this not nee
essary; and, indeed, where field is not
clOddy, with careful driver and steady
horse, no furrowIng is necessary. TO
plant by the check-rOw method requires
virtually four handsome to drop, one
to cover and two to furrow. Thus we
can see that under favorable conditions,
corn can be planted with drills with
one-fourth the labor that is required by
the check-row method, and under any
condition with one-half the labor. We
think this advantage is very significant,
for we all know the value of time in the
complaining season.
One thing is necessary so as to raise
drilled corn Successfully-it must be
cultivated as soon as it appears above
the ground, if not before it comes up.
If cultivation is delayed, and the weeds
and grass are allowed to rear their
heads along the rows between the tiny
corn plants, the farmer must calculate
on hOeing his corn, or he will have
more weeds than corn before he is
aware of it. The early cultivation can
easily be performed in due time, unless
hindered by continuous rain immedi-
diately after planting. After the first
cultivation all danger of being over
come by weeds is over.
A prevalent objection to drilled corn
is the condition the ground is left after
the corn crop is harvested. Continuous
cultivation in the same direction, it is
said. will unavOidably form a ridge
along each row; whereas, by the check
row method cultivation in two direc-
tions will leave the surface compare
lively level.
this objection must be acknowledged as
weighty one.
We have seen fields that were for
merly drilled in corn, having since been
Sown in wheat and then clover, which
were so undulating that the former
corn-rOws could be observed as plainly
as when the corn was there. If such a
result was unavoidable, drilled corn
would not be desirable. But it is avoid
able. If the cultlvatOr shovels be
changed for each cultivation, allowing
the narrow sh0velS, OF bull-tOngues, to
be next to the row one time and the
shovelS the next, and SO on, the unde-
sirable ridge may be almost wholly
avoided.
When rolling or hillside ground is
checkroWed it IS impossible to get the
rows so arranged as to avoid the dan
ger from washing. If furrowed favor
ably to avoid washing in one direction,
the burrows which are to cross those
made first will be just right to favor
washing. If com be drilled this dam
ger can be avoided. The rows can be
made parallel with the base of each hill,
and if this base be curved the rows can
be made curved.
There is no easier way to show why
drilled corn will make more bushels
per acre than checlz-rowed corn than
by little calculation. Suppose the
field in question is check-rowed with
the rows 80 feet apart each way; by an
approximate calculation one acre in
such field would contain 3,249 hills, and,
allowing 2115 stalks to the hill, S,122
stalks. Again, suppose the field in
question is drilled, with the rows 81
feet apart and the stalks IA inches
apart liz the row, which is none too
close. 4 calculation shows that an acre
in this field would contain 9,745
stalks. BY subtracting we find that an
acre, if drilled, would contain 1924
stalks more than if check-rowed. AL
lowing one ear to the stalk, and 100 ears
to the bushel there weuld be gain of
sixteen and one-fourth bushels per acre.
Allowing one-half ear to the stalk and
100 ears to the bushel there would be a
gain of eight and one eighth bushels
per acre. The proportion of gains is
the same, no matter how much or how
little is produced per acre.
Our experience has demonstrated the
above statements. and we can cheer
fully recommend the drilling method to
our farmer friends. Z. e. II.