The Forrest City times., 1891-05-15
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
A sHORr PRIZE PAPER ON RAis-
 INC CORN.
Important Suggestions by . Practical Characterization In the Quality of Fruit-Prohts In Cab-
 bage Culture.
Corn Culture.

Some time ago the Practical Farmer of Philadelphia offered a prize for the best article on corn culture. Mir. Geo. I. Pettit of Oneida, Kansas contrib uted the best article and won the prize. Mir. Petit says:
 In heavy clay land. in moist cli- mate. late fall and winter blowing of sod is advantageous. If we'll done. the furrows act as drains to keep water from standing on the surface. and we get the disintegrating action of frost, which also destroys insect enemies. Fall plowed stubble ground is more in- clined to pack, hence is not so desira- ble. Fall blow light prairie land carly, that the rains may settle the soil, and that vegetation turned under may decompose before winter. as any coarse material in the soil intensifes the effects of drouth. Spring blow, not too deep. when the ground is dry enough. not before.
 Harrow thoroughly. Plant reason ably carly, the soil being sufficiently warm to insure germination. Light soil and dry climate require deeper planting than heavier soil and moist climate. Varieties that are acclimated. and require nearly all the corn season In which to mature are, as rule, the most profitable. A bushel of seed should plant from seven to eight acres, according to size of kernels and fertil- ity of soil Rich land will bear thicker seeding than poor land. When drilled. the ears grow larger and more uniform than when checked-rowed especially in a dry season. thus increasing the yield. By check-rowing. weedy land can be kept clean with less difficulty and less ridging; hence it Is better in come cases to do this
 Cultivation should begin early. The smoothing harrow can often be used to advantage. The plants may appear to suffer. but if tho soil has been well prepared, go ahead; they will come up smiling in day or two. If the soil needs loosening up, put on bull tongues and blow deep. first time through. then frequent shallow cultivations to keep surface clean and mellow. and 0'Vtd iNot Pi dhliS. IOt tilto. tit spring-tooth and eagle claw attach nents are becoming popular, as with the ordinary large shovels 1t is 'cut and cover" operation. There is sell dom any gain in blowing corn when too large to use the two-horse culti- vator.
 Cutting should be deferred until the lcr o,,. ;, l.;l frosts occur. Fodder sometimes molds and turns black. as a result of too carly cutting followed by warm wet weather. Some of our farmers dispose Of their shock corn by running 1t through threshing machine. This ahells and cleans the grain and pull verizes the fodder, which should be run directly into the now. or in feed lack.
 Clover and barn-yard manure are the cheapest and best fertilizers for corn. In the moro eastern states I would consider a clover sod. fall plowed. with good coat of we'll rotted manure thoroughly narrowed in before planting. ono of the very best chances for corn. But on light prairie land I would grow . crop Of wheat the first season. fall blow after harvest and list the follow ing spring for corn.
 In many sections of the west where the soil is deep. light friable and we'll drained. and where corn follows corn for years continuously, the common method of planting is by listing" {" Tho lister is double moldboard blow, drawn by three horses. Without pre- vious blowing it opens for each row a dead furrow or trench. making corre- spending ridges between them. A sub soiler is attached in the rear which loosens up seed-bed in the bottom of the furrow in which the seed Is drilled. This method saves labor; the crop stands drouth better; stands up better; yields better and is easier kept cloan than top planted corn.