Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-17
THE CULTURE OF CORN.

During the past ten years there
has been a marked increase in the
growth OF the live stock industry through
out the south. as evidenced by the census
returns OF 1900 compared with those Of
Iss0 The continual decrease in the price
Of cotton. together with a more general
appreciation Of the advantages Of diver
slhed agriculture. have not only led TO
marked Increase I'm the acreage Of corn.
but q corresponding increase in the acre
are Of many other important cereals. hay
and forage crors. This increase in these
farm products has not been spontaneous
or irregular. but has been brought about
hy changed conditions and the necessities
Of the situation
Present indications point to still great
er increase in the annual production OK
important cereals and more decided
change TO the adoption OF a nrst-ciasS sys-
tenn OF diversified agriculture throughout
ali the south Atlantic and gulf states.
While N IS true that the largest Yields OF
corn per acre are grown I'm the northwest,
this Is due more 20 the methods OF cui-
ture that exist in the two sections ratner
than n difference I'm soil and climatic con-
Iltions On the contrary. the largest Yield
81 corn per acre on record; % busneis'
was grown in South Carolina, while the
census Of ISSn' showed that the second
heaviest yield per acre for any whole
county in the United States was made IN
IssaQuena county. Mississippi
When cotton commanded high prlce
southern pIanteres were willing 70 ex-
change IL for corn. because Of the two
cotton was the more easily grown. me
best land and attention was given TO cot
ton and corn was relegated to a secondary
place Some farmers have always grown
enough corn TO supply the annual demands
of their. farms. but majority OF them
exhaust their supply either before the
next crop was planted or before II could
be harvested. IL cannot be denied that
wherever the corn crop has been given the
same care ans. attention Of the cotton
crop Il has been found equally as pront-
able and as satisfactory The south nat
uraliy possesses superior advantages in
growing corn to any other section Of the
country. and a market for its sale can oe
found here at as equally remunerattve
prices as in the west With the now rap
idly growing tendency TO raise pork, beer
cattle and supplying our local markets
with meal. the cultivation Of corn is Ger
tain TO become in the near future one OF
the leading farm industries in the south
Corn. converted into fat beeves and pork
ers. viii sell for more profit 10 the farm
er than continuing 10 plant his lands IN
cotton. selling the product at low price
and buying his meat and bread. The prob
lem has already been worked out 70 the
FatisfactieR- ofs-evsry- one who has tried
II. and diversified agriculture is now the
popular mode OF farming
Soil and Preparation.
Any land which viii grow a good crop
OF cotton viii also produce good corn,
although some dry uplands which are de-
hcient in humus may. when well fertil-
lied, produce better crops OF cotton than
corn Those lands which produce large
cotton weed and possess a fair amount
Of humus or rotten vegetable matter.
do best in corn. The rapid and succu-
lent growth OF corn requires moisture
and well drained land deficient I'm de-
cayed vegetable matter viii not retain
moisture sufficiently 10 insure a desir-
able yield OF corn. Humus Is the most
important element I'm the soil for the
retention OF moisture and a soil well
supplied with that element rarely suffers
from drOughts.
Land cannot be made too rich for corn
that is well supplied with humus. The
weight of the ears win usually bear a
close proportion 10 the stalk. hence a
large heavy stalk viii produce CORE
spending heavy ears. Corn should there
fore follow a field planted in oats. wheat
OF peas. 50 that the decaying vegetable
matter or stubble turned under viii aid
IN the retenuou OF moisture during the
long spring and summer. The smaller
cereals planted in the fall and making
their growth during the winter and
early spring rains. can best follow cot
ton. and cotton should follow corn. How
ever. the proper rotation would be wheat
OF oats and peas the first year. corn
the second. cotton the third and entire
rest the fourth. Many farmers are
now adopting this plan. having a sur
plus OF lands.
Land for corn should be deeply plowed
broadcast. BY turning. in the early spring.
The blowing should be closely followed
with the harrow and all clOds finely pull
verified. II the crop is not then planted a
second narrowing should be made at time
of planting 70 XIII out terminating weed
seeds There Is no necessity Of bedding
when the land has been broken broadcast.
but the rows can be laid OF, fortified and
planted without further labor. Thorough
preparation OF the soil shows its effects
through the whole season in securing a
better stand. less amount OF labor required
20 cultivate the growing crop and i'm a