The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-07-12
THE CORN CROP.
Some Practical Suggestions for Best
Methods OF Cultivation,

Some Practical suggestions for Rest
Methods OF Cultivation.
The cultivation of the corn crop should
begin very soon after the corn is plant
ed, and should be continued almost un-
interruptedly until laid by, says a
writer in the Ohio Farmer. The corn
grower has, as have said before, the
growing of good crop practically under
his control, despite the curtailing infu-
ence of an unfavorable season, provided,
always, the crop is handled in scien-
tiic manner, and nowhere during the
progress Of the crop until we realize in
cash return therefrom, will 1t pay better
than right hero to employ the best
labor of the farm.
i believe that the time when corn Is
most benefited by cultivation is during
the early stages of it's growth; though
we may not see great results at first
the returns will prove this true, and the
investment of time and labor, il careful.
ly bestowed, pays doubly as well as the
same amount at q later period. The
first two land sometimes three) cult.
vations should be with smoothing
harrow and If the ground has
become packed by rain the Scotch har.
row should have the preference, and
this should take place as soon as prac-
ticable after the entire crop has been
planted-crossing the field in an opposite
direction to the way of planting. Har-
rowing now is beneficial in three ways:
first, by covering any hills that may not
have been covered deep enough to in
sure termination, and leveling off any
which may be covered too deep; second,
by destroying multitude of weeds that
have concluded that now is the time to
get in their work, and they will if we
are not careful.
1t is we'll known that weed seed will
not readily germinate, nor will seed that
has done so grow rapidly, in loose earth;
hence one reason for keeping the sur
face always we'll stirred. All the ad.
vantages secured by the use of the
plow are secured by the use of the har
row at this time, and the labor is not
half so great. Don't put the first har-
rowing off too long, as 1t may turn wet
and you will be unable to do this i'm.
good. Remember always that weeds
will grow in cold, wet weather, but corn
will not; hence the weeds (unless care
be taken) will frequently get the start
of the corn, and they generally do their
level best to follow up the advantage
gained. This is sign of trouble for the
future. If your soil is comparatively
free from weeds one narrowing may be
sufficient before the corn comes up,
but two, generally, can be given with
profit. Where corn is full stand ex-
perience proves that it pays we'll to
harrow after it has come up. This should
be done after it has taken on the
third leaf Do not attempt this sooner
for it is very tender up to this time, and
the damage done would be too great; but
if done at the proper time not more
than five per cent. of the plants will be
destroyed.
For the first application with the
cultivator l use an ordinary one, but in
stead of shovels used attachments con-
sisting of three teeth or shovels each, one
inch wide and nine inches long, making
twelve on the cultivator instead of four.
These can be made to throw earth
enough so that it meets around the
plant, leaving the ground almost level.
If the corn is still small these may be
used second time. Some advocate
throwing the earth from the hill when
the corn is small. This is false, for if
(as some claim) the SUMS rays more
readily reach the plant root they also
chill quickly at night y op cool day.
Again, to destroy weeds (corn's greatest
enemy we must either plow out Tor
smother) by covering with earth. This
is most easily accomplished during
their infancy, and this can not be done
when the earth is thrown from the hill.
The first and second time is when you
should be most careful to plow close to
the hill.
From this on shoveis are best to use,
set to run moderately deep; then as the
corn develops plow more shallow, for
roots of well-developed corn cover the
entire surface of the ground and to de-
stroy these you are certainly lessening
it's vitality. The number of times to
work corn depends on the soil and sea-
son. In wet season plow often enough
to destroy and keep down all weeds. In
a dry one the more frequent the better,
provided, of course, you do not leave
the field too long at any one time. al
ways go over my corn with one-horse
plows after harvest, when it is too large
for the two-horse cultivator, this time
not running close to the corn or deep.
This prevents late growth of weeds
and leaves the ground in excellent con-
aition to be sown to wheat My rule is,
unless in very late season, to not work
corn after July 20, as the probabilities
are the damage done would be greater
than the benefit to the corn.
Tree Protectors.