The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-03-15
His Monthly Talk to the Farmers of
the STATE Of Georgia.
CORN PLANTING SEASON,
experiments i'll Farming, Renovation and
Rotation, Success in Cotton Plant
ing, Fertilizers, Orchard
and Garden.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRIcULruRE,
ATLANTA, March /, 1894. =

opposite of what I intended-that. is
that poor land can bear more fertilizer
than rich land. The fact wished to
emphasize is that poor land will not re-
spond to large amounts of commercial
fertilizer, and that there is no more
effective way to burn up crop than
to apply several hundred pounds to land
which, though originally good, has been
clean culture for several successive
years, and is consequently almost desti-
tute of vegetable matter or humus. To
make the commercial fertilizer most
effective, this h11mus must be supplied
by either green crops or composts, and
until there is moderate amount of this
necessary ingredient restored to the soil,
we must be, if we would realize any cor
responding profit for our investment,
careful as to the amount of fertilizer
used. Once our lands are filled with
humus, we can venture on heavy and
sure paying application of the CONNER
cial goods. The
UNAVOIDABLE WEATHER
During the latter part of January and
the first of February has much retarded
out work, but the deficit of II inches
in the annual rainfall must be made up
at some time, and perhaps it is better
just now than later, when the seeds
have been put in the ground and the
young plants find it almost impossible to
push their way through the crust which
must inevitably form after very heavy
rains.
March is essentially the month for
CORN PLANTING
throughout the state. The first of April
usually finds the bulk of the crop put in,
although owing to later springs, and
some changes Of methods, the time for
planting is. delayed, perhaps week,
later than in former years. AS to the
proper time of planting one must be
guided by circumstances. Some very
successful planters, maintain that the
crop should be planted as early as posi-
BILE after the 1st of March, even where
the opening plow breaks the frost crust.
This may succeed in some localities and
on some qualities of land, but, as rule,
my experience has been, that it is better
for the land to become somewhat warm
ed up before putting the seed in. Ihave
planted, when the mornings were icy,
and winter still fingered in the air, and
although now advocate early planting,
think we should be somewhat guided
by natural indications as the swelling of
the hickory and maple buds and other
fore runners of spring. I have often
noticed, that where this precaution is
observed, and the plants get good start,
a severe nipping by late frost is no dis
advantage, for while the top may be
temporarily checked, the root growth
still progresses, and the consequence is
sturdy vigorous plant.
If an early crop is desired, it is well
to plant only part of the crop, thus
leaving the bulk for later planting. This
early crop often natures and makes a
good crop, when the main crop is cut off
by drought.
The seed for the main crop should be
such as has been tested and found suited
to each locality. For the early crop
select the best tested variety of early
maturing seed, and plant on warm lands,
having, if possible, southern exposure
One advantage of this plan is, that the
cultivation of this early planting does
not conflict with that of the cotton crop.
as is often the the case, where the entire
corn crop is planted later. Another adj
vantage is, that the tendency of early
planted corn is to smaller stalks and
heavier ears, two very desirable points
In our climate where excessive stalk
growth is one of the disadvantages to be
guarded against. After years of expe-
rience and experiment, believe that
PLANTING IN THE WATER FURRow
is the surest and safest. 1t was the plan
pursued by that eminently successful
farmer, David Dickson of Hancock, and
greatly conduces to the level culture
now almost universally conceded to be
the only true method. / have found
that Q good plan is to plant the seed in
the water furrow, three feet apart, and
the rows should be at least FIVE, six, or
even seven feet-tha latter was Dixon S
rule, and to avoid the injury. which the
water flowing through the furrow might
cause; cover with a double foot pillow,
having short narrow bull tongues. The
little ridge thus made protects the seed
and young roots from any damage that
3
and while the seed are not too heavily
covered, they are still good deal below
the surrounding surface. Any one who
has studied the habits of the corn plant
knows that the roots are formed at each
Joint and above the first set, and if the
seed are planted too deep these first
roots are superseded by others thrown
out in all directions from each successive
ring AS the corn develops, seeking for
light and 'heat and air, all of which at
this season, must come from above,
our object should be to make the first
roots do full duty. To accomplish this
our plan of planting and
CULTIVATION
should be such as to cause them to de-
yelop near enough to the surface to take
in sufficient supply of air and sun
shine, and yet not too near to be injured
by unexpected or unfavorable extremes
Of weather, and as each successive set
of roots is developed to throw little
more soil to the plant, thus giving the
stalk firm hold in the soil.
David Dicksons plan of cultivation was