Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-05-09
CORN CULTURE.
Preparation of Soil, Planting,
Cultivation, Harvesting and
Care Generally.
DISCUSSED BY
T. A. HOVERSTAD
Of the State Experiment Station at
Cr0OkstOn.

Of the State Experiment Station at
Crookston.
In the Red River Valley, we think
that wheat is the great and most i'm
portant crop the farmers can raise.
10 US this may be true, but compar-
ing the amount of wheat raised in
the United States with corn, we find
that wheat is far in the rear. There
is probably no plant raised in Ameri-
ca that is more highly valued than
corn. The area devoted to it's cul-
ture is ample evidence ofitspopulari-
ty. The force OF this is strengthened
by the fact that corn is far from
new plant. 1t has been known and
cultivated for hundreds of years.
There is no novelty connected with
it. Its popularity is due wholly to
the merit OF the plant.
The variety of uses corn is put to
is very numerous. Doubtless the
WARREN SEEAF will some day be
printed on paper, made from corn
stalks. 1t has proved Invaluable in
the construction of warships. It's.
highest value, however, is in the food
it furnishes for both man and beasts.
Not only is the grain valuable but
the fodder as we'll. We shall in the
Northwest appreciate this plant
more in the future than we do now.
IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY.
Many persons take it for granted
thatI!corn can not be grown in the
Red River Valley. Ifsthe production
of-ears was the only thing sought,
the idea would have some founda-
tion. The maturing OF ears is some
what uncertain. Some years corn
will mature nicely, while in other
years it is in danger Of being de-
stroyed by frost in the immature
stage. Fortunately the fodder of
the corn is the most important. In
the stalk can be found the food
material that later goes to form the
ear, and while it is in the stalk the
food is better balanced than it is
after the ears are formed. Corn
fodder can be produced here with
great certainty. Had more corn
been raised in the northwest last
year, it would have been OF great
value to the farmers. At no time
has corn grown better ON the expert
ment farm than it did last year.
Corn planted during the dry season
germinatcd and grew just as we'll as
it rain had been abundant. If farm
ers had raised more corn they could
have had ample roughage to feed
their horses and cattle during the
winter. Many OF those who had
built up herd of cattle were forced
to sell the animals in an unfinished
condition for the lack of food with
which to winter them.
Corn sown as late as July Is pro-
duced a good crop. At the North
Dakota Experiment Station at
Fargo, corn sown July 10th pro-
Fduced a yield OF % tons of green
forage per acre. This shows how
rapidly corn can produce a large
crop in the Red River Valley. 1 am
glad to be asked to write this article
on corn culture. I know corn will
soon be a very important crop
here, and anything that would
give this enterprise a stimulus ought
to do some good.
FOR GRAIN AND FOR FODDER.
Corn is raised both for grain and
fodder. At the present time it would
BE- unwise to SOW any large field with
the hope OF harvesting crop OF ma
ture ears. 1t may be wise to SOW a
small field in hills, ~ inches apart
each way, in order to raise seed corn
and thereby helping to develop va
rlety OF corn suitable for this coun-
try. At the present time seed corn
will have to be shipped in. Most
OF the corn fields should be sown
in drills and be cut and cured for
fodder.
PREPARATION OF THE LAND.
It will be necessary to outline in
J this article one method 81 culture.