Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-06
CORN GROWING.
Stir the Soil and XIII the Weeds In
Between the Rows.

l, have made IL a somewhat firm
and a fast rule not to plant corn un-
I'll the soil is good and warm. writes
a Missouri correspondent of Orange
Judd Farmer This gives immediate
and rapid termination, bringing the
corn up at once, and in that way
saves the injuries that often result
from too early planting. by mice and
insects working on the seed. It is
my judgment that the early planting
has more TO commend IL to the corn
grower than late planting. yet as
stated above this is a matter wholly
to be regulated by the individual OBJ
orator
l have secured my very best stands
by getting the planter just deep
enough to cover the corn we'll. II the
ground is real dry. deeper planting is
advisable. three or even four inches
not being considered too deep.
Now for the cultivation. There is a
maxim in the commercial world that
well bought is half sold So Il may
be said. IL the corn grower does his
duty 70 the corn plant before 1t ap-
pears above ground. his battle is half
won. like 20 cultivate. so to speak.
at least twice before the corn comes
up. BY so doing 1 accomplish some Of
the many purposes of cultivation. You
Kill the sprouted weed seeds, aerate
the soil. hasten the warming up OF the
seeded and increase your chances for
a good stand.
/ "a on 4
leave II In fine shape for the first go
Ing over with the six-shovel cultiva-
tor. Twice over with the smoothing
harrow will do this very nicely. Now
remove the large shovel next to the
row and put on the long. narrow bull
tongue and with a quiet. slow walking
team you can get right up to the little
plants and give the little corn a reg
ular hoeing. You can also 20 deep
this time. without effecting root prun-
ing. thing 20 be studiously avoided
ever after.
l like TO cultivate four or Ave times.
depending upon the season. and the
rapidity OF the growth OF the plants.
While I am an ardent aud an IN
wavering advocate OF shallow cultiva-
ton, yet know from my own expert
ence that there are times when YOU
must cultivate deep. When the sea
son has been wet and you have been
kept out OF the field until the weeds
are numerous and lusty, you must
plow deep. for you will need dirt and
much dirt 10 cover these weeds, and
deep blowing Is the only way to get
the dirt. Ordinarily. I practice shall.
low cultivation. for I believe Il 20 be
better for the crop and l know it is
much easier on the teams. Especially
do l like level cultivation the last
time going over the field.
Some OF the very best yields have
ever had. I have gone on the land inn
mediately after harvesting the corn
and sowed 10 timothy with no other
preparation Of the seeded than two
harrowings with a smoothing harrow.
securing a splendid stand OF grass on
an Ideal bottom or surface. I merely
speak OF this so as 70 give the reader
some idea as TO how level l try TO
leave the land at the last cultivation.
II you ridge your land and drought
follows. the ground is Just right 10 dry
out and injure the crop.
Keep weeds down. for remember
that they consume the soil moisture
as well as plant food. They are no re-
specter or persons and they will have
their share OF these things though
the corn plant anguish and die. There
Is an idea held by some that the
exerement OF weeds Is highly poison
Gus TO the corn plant. and for this. IL
for no other reason. they should not
be allowed to grow.