Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-02-01
INSTITUTE THOUGHTS.
Some of the Points Made at the Re-
cent Farmers institute.

oVAAS Va eaAS VAAnso W eseaS 80
cent Farmers Institute.
Corn.
Mr.. Forest Henry, Olmstead
County, Minnesota.
There are three things necessary In
growing a good crop of corn, VIZ:
good soil, good seed, good cultivst-
ion. The soil may not be very good,
naturally but if it is we'll manured
and has plenty Of vegetable matter
to retain the mois ure it may fairly
be called good. Tor old land /
would favor early fall ploWlng with
occasionsl fall narrowing to germinate
as many weed seeds as possible, and
to preserve moisture. For a. tough
sod, like June or quack grass, |
would advocate late fall plowing with
narrowing, as the freezing and
thawing in winter kills many OF the
roots which are thus exposed to the
surface. In the spring start the
harrow early, and from then until
planting tine, stir the soil deeply,
and frequently; for field well re-
pared means a crop half cultivated.
The seed-corn should be selected
with great care. Do not send south
for seed, but plant that which does
best IN your locality. If taken from
your own field choose the earliest
maturing corn, and see that it is free
from smut, and well grained at the
end of the cob. Tie this up on. a
bench out of doors, protected from
rains, until cold weather, when it
should be put in dry place, mouse
proof. I plant in drills; for, yhilerita
takes more work to keep the crop
free from weeds, I can grow more
corn per acre than by check system.
Plant a little late rather than too
early, give that time to extra cultl7.
walton of the field, the old rule, that
when the oak leaf is as large as q
squirrels ear, is pretty safe one to
follow. My. experience teaches that
medium rather than deep planting IS
more uniformly successful, yet this
depends, doubtless, upon the charac-
ter of the soil. Cultivate deeply
while the corn is small, only being
careful not to smother the plant by
covering the first leaves with dirt, as
through them the corn breathes.
Then let all cultivation be shallow,
not to exceed two inches. Keep this
up through the entire> season, when
ever practicable, as late cultivation
will materially increase the yield in a
dry season. ..
Potatoes For the Northwest
S. J. Fairfield, Minneapolis, MINI.
Good seed d necessary requirem snt,
One of the most necessary elements
OF successful potato growing is good
seed. To be good. it must be kept.
in a good cellar or cave, where the.
temperature is always close to the
freezing point. When the cave gets
too warm, put ice in it; and when too
cold, a lighted lantern will be suf-
ficient to restore the temperature, de-
sired.
Desirable varieties-Fo early pota-
toes, Ohio's are good. Rurals or
some white, nearly round potatoes
SO that if its growth should be stopp-
ed by drouth. it will still be salable
which would not be true, ordinarily,
Of the Burbank type.
To kill scab. Treat all seed before
cutting to solution OF one ounce
corrosive sublimate, to five gallons of
water. One hours soaking is suf-
ficient. A convenient arrangement
for this is to hang tight barrel on
pins between two posts; then by
means Of slat coverS the water can
be poured out on one side and the
potatoes on the other. The seed
should not be cut until 1T ls needed
for planting. For Ohio's two or three
ewes to piece should be cut; and