The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-02-16
BEST SEED CORN
MOST IMPORTANT
T. P. Fulton Praises Corn Club Move
ment and Makes Suggestions
Natures Fertilizers Best
Of All.
To the Editor of The Star:

to note the liberal manner in which
the enterprisine citizens of Mena are
starting the cash prize fund for the
Boys Corn Club contests, and it is to
be hoped that their example will be
followed by all the progressive people
of Polk county. The movement,
which is becoming general throughout
several southern states, is one of the
most important agricultural enter
prises that has ever been inaugurated
in the South. Arkansas, like her sis
ter states, does not grow enough corn,
and there is no reason why her farm
crs should not. at least, grow enough
for home consumption. Every rail-
rosd town in Polk county is shipping
in northern grown corn right now. II
comes in the form of chops. and the
consumer pays dearly for it, that is
considering the ruling price of corn in
northern markets. More corn means
more meat. better stock and better
times generally for the farmer. Corn
is king of the agricultural realm and
whenever you find it grown extensive
ly you will find prosperity. Cotton is
all right in its way. and in this state
can be grown along side of the corn.
Our farmers have been growing plenty
Of cotton, but not enough corn. We
need both, and the way is opening for
growing more and better corn. The
prize proposition, is. of course one OF
the most potential factors in the Corn
Club movement. but there are other
important matters to be considered.
In the first place we older men must
use our influence in getting boys to
join the clubs. AS a rule country
boys are inclined to be timid about
such things and need bracing up by
parents and neighbors. When they
get into the club ranks we should do
all in our power, except actual labor
to assist them in winning prizes. OF
course the boys will be supplied with
suitable literature by the Agricultural
Department and instructed by Mr..
Wear, but their friends and neighbors
should give them all the encourage
ment possible. The time is too short
for any long range preparation of the
soil for corn crop, and would sug-
eest to the boys to select new ground.
! if possible, for their corn. and ground
that is well drained and free from
seepy spots. Corn will grow in rocks
but will not stand for wet feet. III
your father hasn't an acre of new
ground suitable for your experiment,
better get busy right now and clear of
an acre. Do not burn any leaves or
old rotten logs on your acre of new
ground. Plowi EN- all under.
Right here will digress a little in
order to reply to query propounded
in The Star last week by "One Hoss
Farmer" regarding the best plan to
utilize leaves as fertilizers. First. do
not try TO do anything with them while
they are dry. Wait until it rains,
then take a fonr-tine pitchfeEk, and
with every fork full Of leaves get some
dirt. Pile your leaves in heaps about
three feet high and throw in all the
old rotten chunks of wood you come
across. The earth mixed with the
leaves will not only keep them moist
and assist in rottine them. but win
hold them in the heap. When you
get ready to pillow, spread the leaves
over your land and turn EN- under
They are natures own fertilizer and
better than any compounded by man
or beast.
But to return to the boys. Next to
the selection of the ground comes the
selection of seed. and while | have no
special variety of seed corn to suggest
| certainly would advise the boys to
get good seed One reason why our
farmers do not grow more corn is that
they pay little attention to the selec-
ton of their seed corn. Get good seed
no matter what you have to pay for il
Coon seed, like good hogs, brings good
returns
In conclusion and in a general way
for the good Of the cause. | viii say
that, through the kindness OF Congress-
man Cravens. | have received a large
number OF bulletins OF booklets on the
subject Of corn growing" issued from
the Department of Agriculture at
Washington. and written by one of the
assistants in the Bureau Of Plant In
dustry. The pamphler is not only a
concise treatise on corn growing but
contains much valuable information
on farming in general. II is profusely
illustrated and very interesting and
instructive in every particular. The
bulletins were sent TO me for free dis
tribution. and while / have given out
quite a number | have a good many
comics left You can def ono nv coll