Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-12
corn as 5000 or 1000? We read and APP
preciate the agricultural page.

corn as 5000 or 1000? We read and APP
preciate the agricultural page.
When corn begins its development the
roots tend to strike deeply into the soil.
They then form whorls which rise toward
the surface. AS the corn develops II
throws out brace roots which strike down
into the soil for the purpose of holding
1t erect. Most of the feeding roots
develop early in the season, and no
doubt you have observed on the roots of
corn when 1t is young thousands of little
fine white thread-like or air-like roots.
These are the true feeding roots of the
plant and are what are called the root
hairs. The roots. of plant develop In
this way. They grow from the inside
and develop, forming a multiplication OF
cells behind the root cap or growing tip.
The root hairs develop along the length
of the root, but as the root continues to
grow and develop they die away Thus,
root may be three feet long, and the
cot hairs only show along foot of 1t,
and that nearest growing tip. OF course,
after the root hairs have developed and
extracted the food and moisture from
the soil in their immediate vicinity they
have no further purpose to serve and
hence die while new ones are thrown
out further along to take up the func-
ton which the first ones laid down.
The moon has nothing to do with the
decay and dropping off of the fine thread
like roots. 1t is natures law that they
should die when they have served their
purpose. When suckers develop on corn
they take away from the ability of the
main stalk to elaborate the food need
ed to produce one or more good-sized
ears. 1t would be exactly on the prin-
ciple of opening an artery In the arm
and taking out some blood If the blood
were not removed it would go to the
more complete and perfect nourishment
of the body, and while one might keep
healthy If blood were taken from the sys-
TEN in this way, there would be a ten
dency to weaken and lessen bodily vigor
Many years ago corn v=-s entirely differ
ent from what 1t is now. Vt was sup
posed to have been related - not or!gi-
mated in some way from what Is called
teosinte, and the suckering habit was a
characteristic of the plant in it's early
stages of development, and this character
has not been bred out of 1t. Probably
as much attention has not been given to
getting rid Of the suckers as it's import
ance justifies. Moreover, there is
tendency probably in prolific varieties
to sucker more than the non-prolific va
rieties, and there is also probably a great
er tendency to sucker on rich land than
on poor land. If there is a superabund-
ance of food and the plant roots are able
to elaborate 1t, there will be tendency
for the suckers to increase. They should
be removed where one desires to secure
the largest benefit from the stalks left to
produce ears. In our opinion 1000 vigor-
Gus stalks per acre will produce more
corn on ordinary Georgia land than 5000
or 1000. The number of stalks to be left
depends on the richness of the land, and
1900 stalks will be about right for up
lands of moderate fertility. On extra
rich bottoms 1000 or 5000 could be left
with satisfaction.