Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-02-11
The Corn Crop.

The average yield of corn per acre
in the Southern States is very low
| These averages are typical Of condi-
| lions prevailing in the Gulf and South
| Atlantic States and show that the
corn crop on an average scarcely pays
| the cost Of production. This condition
is the more humi1iating because it is
| totally unnecessary. Under q good
| system of farming the corn crop OF
| these States should show an increase
Of 800 per cent.
Improve the condition and fertility
of the soil by rotation of crops, by
|.planting cowpeas or other fegumes.
compost. Corn requires a deep and
thoroughly pulverized seed bed.
For the best results the seed bed
should not be less than ten inches
deep, and in most soils much deeper
This a be secured at once by using
a disk pillow followed by a subsoil
plow, or a common turning pillow fol
lowed by a subsoil pillow.
Harrow occasionally to keep the
soil in good filth and free from weeds.
Where the land does not allow OF
fall blowing, break as early as posi-
BILE in the spring.
Plant only the best selected seed,
such as will produce uniform ars OF
excellent quality and a large crop.
Plant as early as practicable in
rows four feet apart on well-drained
sandy loam soils, and plant cowpeas
between the rows at the time the
corn is cultivated last. One inch is
sufficient depth to plant in well-pul-
verified moist soil when the weather
is warm. Soils and conditions are so
variable that the farmer must use
his judgment as to the depth OF plant
ing.
Harrow corn before and after
planting to prevent the formation of a
soil crust. Then give shallow cultiva-
ton once in ten days, and always
after a rain, until it is time to lay by.
Deep cultivation or blowing is in
furious after the corn is eight inches
tall. For cultivation a sweep is bet
ter than a plow. Pillow the middle
deep when the corr is about eight
inches tall, and keep them we'll
worked.
Thin before the corn is eight inches
till to a single stalk fifteen inches in
the row where there is high fertiliza-
ton, intensive cultivation, and the
soil is good. When the corn is on
land long in cultivation and but little
fertilizer is used, two feet in the row
will be nearer right. On very rich
soil properly prepared and titled and
progressively fertilized, the stalks
may stand singly a foot apart in the
row. Here the farmer must use his
Judgment, but if a large crop of corn
Is expected there must be a good
stand and more stalks left in the row
than usual. The thicker stand is
supported by better cultivation and
fertilizing.
On rich lands and on post-oak
lands nearly level and where the rain
fall is heavy, corr rows should be
five to six feet apart and cowpeas
should be planted on the side at the
time of laying by.
When the ears begin to set pull the
tassel out of all weak stalks showing
no ears or only nubbins. This will
increase the yield and should be done
whether it is the intention to save n
OF the field for seed or not.
Select the seed with care, and store
it in a dry place. Seed from a crib
or seed selected from corn left on the
stalk till late in the fall or winter is
not desirable.
1t pays to use commercial fertilizers
on corn. The corn crop REQUIRES
more nitrogen than cotton. It should
be fertilized literally. The kind of
fertilizer used, the quantity, and the
time Of application must be deter
mined by the soil, climate, season
and other conditions and can not be
stated in any general rule. In fact,
all the foregoing directions are sub
Ject to some notifications to meet
conditions of climate, soil, season,
etc. Generally a fertilizer that an
alyzes nine to ten per cent. OF phos-
pnorlc acid, three per cent. Of nitro
gen and two per cent. of potash does
well for corn. Well rotted stable
manure is good and produces better
results If applied in the winter, so as
to become incorporated with the soil.
The six items to be emphasized in
making a corn crop are the follow
ing: CD Good drainage; ca soil
preparations; 60 selection Of seed;
20 excellent cultivation; 90 fer
~t1lization; co removing the tassels
from bastard and inferior stalks.
A good corn crop is a basis Of
perfty and ranks next to a good cot
ton Crops. A. Knapp.
Ground Marker.