The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-03

w ioihi PIoiitdDiy Oh pur-
chased corn.
when labor was abundant, cotton
high and corn cheap, a different or
der OF things could rule But this or.
der has changed. Corn now comes
hrst in the list and calls for attention
from every Southern land tiller. Cot
ton Is not to be replaced, but corn is
to have more general employment.
More corn means better fed animals.
more animals and a more profitable
system of farming.
The Southern pork barrel must be
Kept filled. But every one knows that
cotton will not fill it. The pork bar
rel Is associated with corn, pasture
and forage crops. Because of this 1
want to urge a stronger interest in
corn this year, not only for larger
acreage, but for better preparation Of
soil and closer attention to the details
OF cultivation, that not only a larger
total yield may be produced, but that
a far greater production an acre may
also be secured. I shall. therefore,
continue to talk corn and write about
corn for the South with more urgency
than ever. I have grown corn too
many years not to appreciate or un-
derstand its wonderful possibilities
and nowhere have I been so we'll
pleased with the crop as in the South.
A corn crop rightly and wisely raised
is not only profitable. but most satis-
flying. Not single South farm can
AFFORD to ignore corn this year. Be-
sides, 1t is not fashionable to farm
these days without giving corn a con-
spicuous place on the farm plans.
And right now want you to think
about corn for the coming year. 1t is
not one bit too early to begin active
planning; In fact, now Is the right
time to begin the preparation on
many lands If that work has not al
ready been done by good thorough
fall and winter plowing. The old
method of ridging up a few burrows
will no longer suffice in the modern
corn field.
Corn land should have tillage of
the best and most effective sort. TO
be at its best corn requires deep TIL
lage. and eight to ten inches is not
too much. IT, however, this land of
yours that is to go In corn is accus-
toned to shallow plowing, it will not
do to plow it deeply all at once. Sew
eral plowings must be resorted to
that the seedbed may be gradually
deepened. An inch or two deeper at
each plowing will do the stunt. But
the entire field should be turned just
as deep as its condition will permit
this year.
If your soil has been fell or winter
plowed, an occasional disking will be
just the kind Of treatment this land
will need, and this work you can keep
UP until planting time This con-
tinual condition it will keep the sur
face soil loosened up. enabling water
to get down deep into the subsoil,
and, preventing evaporation, it will
hold the water in storage in the soil
FOR the growing season later on. Y,u
Know corn requires a good deal OF
water and even though the amount of
rainfall is large in the South. much of
the water is lost and the crop suffers
during midsummer. a big storage
supply secured during the winter and
spring season, comes in handily when
hct July and August are on
You should give close attention to
seed at this season also. If your sup
ply has not been selected carefully, If.
4. l. mongrel and of inferior stock,
.hen 1t will be money in your pocket
to get seed from 3ome corn breeder
or good farmer who ha, teen grow
or good farmer who has been grow
Ing seed with some skill. and who
mas taken care Of II during the winter
season. But test your seed even II
you buy 1t. A big crop Of corn means
a right start. Corn Of low vitality and
OF different terminating power is not
fit for seed purposes.
You will at this time also give some
thought to fertilizers, but just remem-
ber that fertilizers pay little when the
land Is lily prepared. To dribble
little fertilizer dope in the hill or row
is not promising performance II you
are after big yield Of corn. On the
other hand, II the soil has been we'll
plowed and the seedbed thoroughly
prepared. fertilizers will usually be
responsive, even II but q small guam