Mower County transcript., 1890-07-16
THE CORN CROP.

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THE CORN CROP.
Some Practical Suggostlons for Bost
Methods or Cultivation.
The cultivation ot the corn crop should
begin very soon after, the corn is plant
ed, and should be continued almost un-
interruptedly until laid by, says :
writer in the Ohio Farmer. The corn
grower has. rs have said before, the
growing OF a good crop practically 1nder
his control, despite the curtailing influ-
ence of an unfavorable season, provided,
always, the crop is handled in q soien-
titlc manner, and nowhere during the
progress Of the crop until we realize in
cash return therefrom, will it pay better
than right hero to employ the best
labor OF the farm. -
believe that the time when corn Is
most benefited By cultivation is during
the early stages OF Its growth; though
we may not see great results at first,
the returns will prove this true, and the
Investment of time and labor, If careful.
ly bestowed, pays doubly as we'll as the
same amount at later period The
first two land sometimes three) culti-
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--crossingt 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 germination, and leveling of any
which may be covered too deep; second,
by destroying q 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
halt SO great. Don't put the first har-
rowing off too long, as it may turn wet
and you will be unable to do this, i'm.
portant work when it will do the most
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
fu tnre. IT your soil is comparatively
free from weeds one narrowing may be
sufficient before tho 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 1t 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
it done at the proper time not more
than five per cent. of the plants will be
destroyed.
For the first application with the
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
plant, leaving the ground almost level.
# 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 suns rays more
readily reach the plant root they also
chill quickly at light or on cool day.
Again, to destroy weeds (corn's greatest
enemy we must either plow out Tor
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 shovels 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
its vitality. The number Of times to
work corn depends on tho soil and sea-
son. In wet season plow often enough
to destroy and keep down all weeds. In
a day one the more frequent the better,
provided, Of course, you do not leave
the field too long at any one time. Al
ways 60 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-
dition 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. 4.
Tree Protectors.
D. 81. T.. Strong's Prairie, Wis, writes
to the Orange Judd Farmer: To pro-
tect fruit trees, shrubs, etc, from sum
scald, rabbits, mice, sheep and other
stock, the protector herewith shown is
very servieeable and easily made.
Drive nails in q wood bench the dis
tance apart you wish the cords to be.