The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-02-15
How the Corn Crop Can Be Increased
BY S A Knapp, CoOperave and
Demonstration Work Department of Agriculture

The average yield of corn per acre
in the southern states is very low.
These averages are typical of condi-
tons 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 humiliating
because it is totally unsesessary. I'm
der a good system of farming the
corn crop of these states should
show an increase of 300 per cent.
Improve the condition and fertil-
ty of the soil by rotation of crops,
by planting cowpeas or other le-
Gumes, or by the use of stable ma
nure or compost. Flowing under
green crops prior to corn crop is
Of great advantage, Corn requires a
deep and thoroughly pulverized seed
bed. For the best results on most
oils the seed bed should usually be
not less than 8, 10, IL or IA inches
deep
For preparation of the soil for
corn harrow occasionally to keep the
soil in good filth and free from weeds
if there is no winter cover crop.
Where there is a winter crop break
as early as possible in the spring,
going the depth usual for that field.
J If that field has usually been broken
in the fall 6, 8, 10 or IL inches deep
the spring breaking for corn should
be the same. Set on edge
Plant only the best selected seed.
such as will produce uniform ears
of excellent quality and a large crop,
Plant as early as the season allows
in rows feet apart on well-drained,
fairly good sandy loan soils. On
rather poor uplands wide rows with
a row of cOwpeas in the middle OF
each row are preferred. On flat
lands with close sub-soil wide rows
and ridge planting appear to be the
best; otherwise fiat cultivation is
preferable.
One inch is sufficient depth tc
plant for quick termination in q
Well-pulverized moist SOIL but soils
and conditions are so variable thai
the farmer must use his judgment
as to the depth of planting.
CrOss-harrOw corn before and af
ter planting and after the corn !,
up to XIII the weeds and prevent the
formation OF a soil crust. Then give
swallow cultivation once in ten days
and always after a rain until it i,
time to lay by. For cultivation use
the harrow, the weeder or the sweep
Flat sweeps or heel sweeps ar,
preferable to long, sharp-pointeC
sweeps Keep the middIes we'll cuI
tivated
No rule that will apply in all case
can be given for depth in cultiva
ton. If the soil has been preparet
as we direct the great body of corr
roots under fair rainfall will III,
from 3 to IL inches deep and will
send their feeders within Two inche
OF the surface. In drier regions I'll
rooJS seek more depth, and whe,
painted with lister are still deem
er. In states having 35 inches q
rainfall reasonably wei Distribute
the evidence at hand shows that SIR
lace cultivation two inches deem will
generally result in a larger WELD n
corn than deeper cultivation. tn
hrst three or four inches of soil I'm
der normal conditions are richer /
available plant food than anv eoua
space below. Preventing the cor
plant, by deep cultivation, from nc
ing these richer foods simply reduce
the yield ~ 'oe
On good soil properly prepared