The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-04-08
CORN ON DRY FARM
Moisture and Warmth Absolutely
Necessary for Success.
Use of Lister Is Injurious, Because 1t
Exposes Surface of Soil to Action
of Drying Sun and Winds
Give Three Civilizations.

In the interests of corn growers
who are beginners or 10 those who
have concluded TO grow corn without
irrigation ] would have this to say.
Consider wen the true condition Of
our plains region as to moisture and
do not forget to acquaint yourself
with the conditions of soil preparation
necessary to the best growth OF corn
Let me say right here and now that
the two things of which we are short
here in the west and both absolutely
necessary to the growth of the corn
plant are moisture and warmth, writes
r. NJ. WetZbarSer in Field and Farm,
Ihen understanding the shortage Of
these two things 1t follows that it is
to our interest TO accommodate cur
selves to the environments If we ex-
pect to get best results.
We must adopt a system of tillage
which has for its object not only the
best preparation of the soil for the
planting OF the seed but also for the
conservation of the moisture as we'll
us to allow the control Of the tempera.
ture as much as possible. If | were
to formulate 4 list of don'ts in corn
growing after 2S years Of continuous
operations, the very first one would
most surely be don't except under Ger.
tain conditions ever use Il lister to
plant your corn because in listing
twice or thrice the surface of the soil
is more exposed to the action of the
drying sun and winds than by Judi
cious blowing and besides this the
corn is placed down in furrow away
from the warmth of the sun
The corn is put into hard ground
when it should have soft You har-
row or plant your corn before it is
up and you cover your corn with
clods when it should be mulched with
soft earth. If cold rains come, water
stands on the corn and it either rots
the seed or washes it out If there are
any steep places in the field and if the
corn is up it browns it outright or
yellows it until it never or seldom
RECEIVERS. 1t does not grow off like
corn which is planted in an ideal
seeded. Besides all this the disad-
vantage Of working down the ridges
after lister is something no up-to-
date farmer wishes to even contem-
plate and l wish here to say that it
is next to impossible to prepare an
ideal condition of soil for the recep-
ton of corn by the lister.
have had neighbors for the last 80
years who always have insistedand per-
haps always will insist that they can
raise better corn with listing than by
using planter, but notice they are
frequently looking for seed corn and
perhaps always will insist that they can
who uses good checkrow planter
For the benefit OF those who wish to
engage in growing corn without irri-
CATION l will describe how all my
years of farming has made me desire
an ideal preparation of the soil for
the purpose Of saving the. moisture
and warming the soil. The seeded
should be suited to the best growth
of the corn plant as well as for ease
of culture and ultimately for taking
off the best crop OF sound ripe corn.
l would begin with a field which had
been in small grain the year before
by double disking the ground as soon
in early spring rs the land is fit to
work and allow it to lay until about
May 10.
Then harrow thoroughly and pillow
at least eight inches deep, keeping it
borrowed down at once and as soon
as part of the aaid is thus prepared
float down perfectly, making such con-
dition as is required for best seed.
Then go on with a checkrow planter
of some approved make with good ac-
climated seed, dropping two grains
in every hill. Follow the planter with
the harrow and poisoned seed, if
squirrels or mice are bothersome, and
harrow after every shower until the
corn is large enough to cultivate.
Give three shallow thorough cultiva-
tions with good six-shoveled cult
vator and you have done your part
VCEOjAIn uNpcE crAJI INV