The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1907-01-03

Clemson College, S. c., Special
Prof G. l.. Newman, who recently
visited Darlington county and the
Pec-Dee section for the purpose of in
ycstigating the plan Of growing corn
originated by Mr.. McIver William.
son. an account of his visit having
been printed in The News and Cour-
icr at the time, has completed his re-
port on the subject. The correspon-
dent Of The News and Courier has
been permitted to copy the report,
which will have great interest for
planters IN all parts Of the State las
we'll as adjoining States). In part
il Is as follows:
The peculiar or essential William
son plan features are:
|. Deep and thorough preparation
Of seed bed. The soil is not only
broken to fully twice the depth to
which it IS usually broken, but is
broken much more thoroughly than
Is the custom.
2. Deep planting of the seed. The
seed are placed four to six inches be-
low the soil level and almost or quito
IN contact with the subsoil, but cover
ed to the usual depth. This aids in
"stuntlng" or retarding the growth
Of the young corn and of grasses and
weeds as well, since very nearly all
the soil proper has been ploughed
away from the corn row and into the
mlddlcS, and no fertilizer has been
applied.
3. 1nfrequent and partial cultiva-
tion in early stages Of growth. This
Is contrary TO popular belief and
practice and Mr.. Williamson styles
it "the most difficult point in the
whole process" requiring experience
and judgment "to .know just how
much the stalk should be stunted, and
plenty Of nerve is required to hold
lHcl; your corn when your neighbors.
who fertilize at planting time AMI
cultivate rapidly, have corn twice the
size of yours
4. An increase of 200 per cent or
more III the number of stalks per
acre. With rows 6x1 feet the vii
hanson plan has little more than
1900 stalks per acre against little
more than 1900 if planting is done
5x3 feet, in accordance with the or
dinary practice. Theoretically, this
wOuld give 73 and % bushels pei
acre, respectively, and it seems, from
evidence at hand, that it is borne out
III practice, assuming that each stalk
Will produce an ear, and one hundred
ears will she'll bushel Of grain.
5. Postponing application of ferti,
lizcrs until corn is given its second
cultivation. In ordinary practice this
would be about the time corn should
be worked the third time. The stalk
has been checked or "stunted" as de.
sired, and the fertilizer is applied
when the plant needs it for the devel-
opment of the ear.
6. Intentional retardation of early
growth of the stalk until its size is
reduced one-half or one-fourth its
normal Development
Z. Augmented development Of the
ear following retardation in stalk
development,) by cultivation and
heavy APPLICATIONS Of fertilizers -mad3
at appropriate intervals.
Since the Williamson plan corn is
planted to 6 inches below the level,
and is laid by TO inches above the
level, there is to II inches of the
stalk below the soil surface The
stalk roots or brace roots are below
the surface when the crop is laid by,
hob fri
i've functions better than would be OF
part of them were exposed to the
air
Amounts of Fertilizer.
Mr.. Williamson recommends the
following amounts of fertilizers ap.
piled to an acre:
For so bushels of corn per acre
Tive hundred pounds Of cotton seed
meal, 200 pounds of acid phosphate
400 pounds of acid phosphate, 400
pounds of kainit, 125 pounds of nj
trate soda, 925 pounds, costing about
50.
For 100 bushels of corn per acre
400 pounds Of cotton seed meal, 40t
pounds of acid phosphate, 500 pound:
VI hdlIlIl, OVU pOuIIS VI Altl dtc VI
soda. 1000 pounds, costing about $40
The total cost of fertilizers, cult
vation, etc, for producing so bushels
on one acre would vary fran SIS tt
$50, and for producing 100 bushels
on one acre from $25 to $50. Thes'
valuations are based on the marke
price Of the fertilizers (assuming tn
acid phosphate to be IA per cen
goods and the average price of labor
The cost of labor varies in diferen
parts Of the State and even on ada
cent farms.
If the COW pea crop grown with th
corn produces one ton of bay, TIN
crop. if left on and in the groune
would add to it about $12 worth Q
nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potasl
il the cow pea crop would produe
two tons Of hay, this crop left on an
IN tie ground would add PA worth