The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-03-21

Corn is the great American grain. More
food can be gotten from an, acre Of corn
than from an area of any other farm
product. No other American crop APP
breaches it in magnitude, our largest
yield exceeding 1000 millions Of bushels,
or over thirty bushels for every man,
woman and child IN the United States.
1t is now becoming understood that the
grain contains only about half of the
food value from the crop. Indeed good
farmers go so far as 10 say that the
fodder from an acre of corn, when prop
erly handled. is equivalent in feeding
value TO the hay usually grown upon an
acre Of equal fertility. Our chemists
have found that the farmer who throws
away the corn stalks discards half his
crop. Those who arc accustomed To
leave the stalks to bleach in the field
may doubt the truth of our chemists
statement. but the farmer who cares for
the fodder in the best manner possible
will readily agree with IL. Thus corn
has double value that makes it with
out a peer in this great agricultural
country.
Our average Yield of corn is much
lower than II should be This is at
tributable TO carelessness and poor meth
DDS Of culture on the part of some of our
growers. The time Of planting another
crop is near a hand, and few sugEes-
tons ara in order. The Sentinel wishes
10 urge upon its readers the necessity
of having the best possible seed Poor
stands are always cutting down the
yield. Very much corn Will terminate
and grow when conditions are favorable,
that Will rot in the ground If the spring
is cold and wet. Plenty Of vitality in
the seed is the thing needed. and this is
easily assured. The early maturing ears
in the fall should be put aside and care
fully dried. Some artificial heat is the
best, although sun heat is usually suf-
fcient. Perfectly matured corn, we'll
dried. is full Of vitality. and II viii lie
in the ground during cold. wet weather
in the late spring when other corn would
rot. II seed corn was not saved last
fall the next best thing is to test the
corn intended for planting. and if il does
not sprout readily and have thrifty
appearance discard il by all means. The
best is none too good.
When corn follows corn upon the same
land insect enemies are afforded OPP
pOrtuDi-v TO multiply. Rotation, as we
have ofren said. is the best plan. Glover
is our cheapest fertilizer. and a clover
sod is always desirable for corn. Our
best farmers are now agreed that much
of the cultivation of the corn crop should
be given before the corn is planted.
That is 10 say, the preparation should he
as perfect as possible. 1t is very true
that when one has a large acreage. there
Is temptation to get the seed i'm the
ground as fast rs possible, trusting to
the future for opportunity To mellow the
ground, but there is more profit from
a less acreage well prepared. A fine seed
bed not only inSureS early and perfect
termination but the young plants get
better rooted and are enabled to with
stand the droughts that often come in
early summer Then. too, the harrow
strOying the tiny weeds and breaking
the crust before the corn plants are large
enough for the cultivatOrs. Good seed
and a good seed bed are the two great
essentials in growing fair crop in
unfavorable year.
Good farmers differ about the time of
planting. but II is our experience that
early planting is safer than late plant
ing There is little more risk about
getting good stand, it may be, es-
pecially If the seed is not the best. but
it is our observation that the early
planted fields usually give the best
yields. After corn is a foot high the
chief objects of cultivation are 10 keep
the surface loose and prevent all weed
growth. If land is well drained, level
surface cultivation gives the best re-
suits. Corn requires vast amounts of
moisture. and weeds are pumps for suck
ing moisture out Of the ground. For this
reason any growth Of weeds cuts the
yield Of corn fast. The weeds are rob
hers Of moisture needed by the corn.
Good tillage, following a good prepar-
alton Of the seed bed and the use Of the
best seed, would increase our national
average yield of corn several bushels per
acre, adding millions Of dollars 10 our
wealth.