The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-02-16
Corn Culture

| We are close upon corn planting
timo, and few words about the Gull
tivation of that important crop will be
timely. The average national yield
of corn is 20 bushels per acre, accord.
ing to the last census report: raising
from 5 TO 100 bushels. Soil and eli
mate have much 10 do with excess
lively large yields. 1t is very doubt
tul If over 80 bushels of corn were
raised on one acre in Texas, while
that is looked upon as a very mOder-
ate crop in some states We can grow
better corn in Texas than in tne big
yielding states, buU in smaller guam.
titles. In Wisconsin for instance, they
make the rows three Ieet eight incees
apart and leave plant every eight or
ten inches in the row. That plan
would give us n crop of fodder, but
not a nubDin OF corn. | have found
The most profitable results from hav>
ing the rows three feet eight inches
apart, and the stalks three feet apart
in the row. Soil, season and cultiva.
ton being right, this may be eX-
pected TO produce from 45 to 80 BUSH
els to the acre, aud that is nearly a
maximum yield, for this section of
Texas at least.
Our rich, heterogeneous black soils
under the influence of our genial spring
rains and sunshiee are calculated to
promote an excessive growth of
stalk and foliage, but do not possess
such an abundance of grain forming
material. But what is present is only
made available by proper cultivation.
Cultivation conveys to many only
the idea of stirrin the soil during the
growth of the crop. 1t means more
than that. The most important part
OF cultivation is done before planting
Upon the condition of the soil at time
OF planting largely depends the ulti
mate outcome. Deep early blowing
is of the first Importance, then
thorough pulveriZatiOn of the soil
Early p owing generally ensures the
latter; as the rains and trO5ts of win
ter produce the most perfect disin.
tegratiOn. When blowing has not
been done till just before planting, it
should not he deep; not more than
three or four inches, and must be pul.
verlzed by mechanical pleaus. Tho
harrow of either disc, getaway or
drag variety is then Indispensable to
get the soil into proper condition
Auy time spent in such preparation
will be more than saved in after cult
vat,On.
Every farmer thinks he knows how
to plant com, but some of us over esti
mate our knowledge in this particu-
lar. No one plan is the best under all
circumstances, and it would be great
assumption for anyone to lay down a
never failing rule. The character of
the soil ana its condition as to moist
ure at time of planting, must regulate
the matter. When the soil is in first
rate order, finely pulverzed, warm
and sufficiently moist to Quickly
terminate the seed, practice the fol-
lowing method to my own satisfaction
and think it will be hard to beat on
our black lands.
| open a furrOw with solid Is, inch
sweep as deeply as the two stout
horses can pull it. This throws the
dirt to both sides of the furrow. in.
stead of on one, as when a turning
! pillow is used. a planter drop
ping one grain every II inches,
follows closely, putting the seed in
the very bottom of the furrow and
covering it with about two inches OF
soft moist soil. TO the planter is at.
tached an iron wheel three inches in
width. This packs the soil firmly on
the grain, causing quicker germina.
tion and being Of great service in Civ.
ing the plant II firm foundation and
helping it to withstand strong winds
| This method leaves the seed in V
shaped furrOw about six or eight
! inches below the surface, but with
only about two inches of soil to come
through before reaching the light.
The first after cultivation and if pGssi.
BILE the second is done with a toothed
barrow. This should be done before
the plant shows, and it will press a
little OF the edge into the furrow. The
first blowing is done with calf tongues
run close and deep. Afterwards the