The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-08
Preparing Corn Land for Planting.

The belief that anybody can grow corn
is a fallacy and l have Witnessed efforts
almost as primitive as those of the In
dians, who plowed the ground with a
stick and left the crop TO be taken care
of by nature, says the American Agricul-
turist. Any yield of corn less than 80 bu.
per acre is poor, 80 to so bu is fair. and so
to 20 bu is only good, while 70 TO 100 bu is
easily possible. To obtain a good yield
with favorable climatic conditions, the fob
lowing must be well understood and IN
teilgently treated: Soil, preparation of
seedbed seed, planting and cultivation. l
will try to present briefly the correct ele-
mentary knowledge. derived from my own
experience and the experience of others.
upon alb these subjects but the last, re-
serving that for later article.
Corn is one crop that cannot be over
fed. The plant is a great feeder and Will
not thrive where only quack grass and bull
nettles flourish. If your land is poor don
plant it in corn with the idea of building
it up. Soil that is too poor to grow fair
crop of potatoes should never be planted
TO corn, unless in the course of crop rota-
ton to prepare for some other crops
which may build up the soil.
When to plow for corn will depend upon
the kind of land. If It is sod land or new
land that has never been plowed, 1t IS
better to plow it during the fall or early
winter than prepare for planting with
disk or pulverizing harrow. Replowng
in the spring, fall or winter plowed lana
would give best results. With any other
kind of land start the pillow as early In
April. as the soils is in prime condition
for blowing. which is when the particles
are dry enough to separate readily under
the pressure of turning the furrow. Never
plow when the soil is wet and sticky. 1t
is better to be few days or weeks later
I'm the planting than TO pillow the land wet
Law off the lands with a view to drain
age and ease in doing the work. II the
fields are rolling. so that open burrows
are now necessary for drainage, make
hut few and fill these in narrowing.
Plow deep while the sluggards sleep
and YOU shall have corn to sell and 10
keep Is a good rule for the corn grower
Most soils should be plowed six to eight
inches deep. The object is to form
deep bed OF loose earth in which the roots
of the corn may feed and obtain moisture
during the season Of growth. 1t is inn
portant that the blowing should be wei
done. Cut no more soil that the plow VIII
turn and have the burrows clean and
straight. Put everything on the surface
out OF sight.
Harrow drag. or otherwise pulverize the
surface when dry enough 10 work well
without sticking. and do not be satisfied
until your field Is level and in condition
FOR a potato patch. Decide on what va
rlety or varieties OF corn you will grow
and be guided IN your selection by the
demands OF your market the yield and
the feeding value Of the different yarle-
ties Select sound. well-matured ears q
uniform size and color. remembering the
law Of nature 81. that like begets Ike
Any farmer can steadily improve the quail
ity and increase the yield ny selecting the
best specimens Of "a certain type % corn
he wishes 20 grow.
As q rule the earliest planting makes
the beft corn. The planting, however,
should be- delayed Until the seeded u
warm enough 70 rssdiiy gern5Date fbe
Rrsirs and frosfs ore scarcely 20 BE- Ok
pected Prom April 20 20 Nay y covers
f1e period whfn corn Shouts b. planted
although earlier o. later piannDgf nney
somaflmes DO equally well shallow
plsnflnE Nin KiYe thr bsat results The
corn VII como W better anq qaickor slq
Nln make better growth onf ~ one
aud one-hef incnes 10 SHOUT as Hrm