Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-28
VARIOUS STUDIES FOR CORN CLUBS
PART l.

The unusual interest being taken IN the
cultivation OF corn By adults and boys
and girls suggests the advisabih1y ~
8isrussinn some factors which should De
given consideration and study during the
present growing season. OF course, II -
taken for granted that attention mas oeeh
given TO the testing of the seea ana -
the proper preparation OF the srounu
and the planting Of the gram. Inc .ie ne
step is cultivation. Just how TINS sn ',.,s.
be done 10 advantage Is not generaiy
agreed upon. Therefore. all interested IN
Increasing the yield OF corn should oo-
serve carfully this season the metnoos
followed in their community. Of course
i - generally considered that shallow
culfiration is the best since this breaks
the crust which tends TO form after every
rain and prevents the escaping OF mos
ture. Moreover. where this methoo ol
cultivation il followed. less damage =
done 10 the feeding roots OF the corn
plant II there be some. however; Mno
persist In blowing the corn with the
furninr plow and following other .unde-
sfrabIe methods OF cultivation. careiul
romparison should be made OF the sue
Co.'S attending the efforts Of these farm
ar~ a. compared with those who follow
,xhar ara now considered the most oesir-
able methods.
For the purpose OF study. the boys ana
girls and their adult friends should VISIT
the fields during the growing season
Observations and records should De hau MAJ.
from time 10 time. say not less 1rsqusne-
~ than once in every ten days 20 Two
weeks. There are many interesting things
20 observe. For instance. the erect OF
deep versus shallow cultivation the ao-
vantage or disadvantage of applying one
or more side applications OF commerclal
fertilizer The apparent benefits 10 De
derived from either nitrate OF SODA OF
sulphate OF ammonia The advisaoihty
~ laying by early or OF perslsung
in cultivation until the corn has slikeo
and tasseled- The advantage OF using enc
or tw0-horse cultivators and the ennciencs
Of the work performed by cultivators OF
various makes. Observations should also
Be made on the character OF construc>
ton Of the various implements used ana
an account kept OF the repair items so
as 10 aetermfne which Is giving the
greatest service in proportion 20 cost At
feution should be given TO how the corn
plant grows and develops at various Pc
RODS In its life history, and this snouio
include an examination Of the soil 10
sufhcient depth 70 ascertain some knowl-
rave ~ fha root system as well. If more
attention were given to this subject there
would be less contention that deep cuiu-
walton Is desirable. for even a cursory
examination OF the grounds where corn
plants are developing rapidly show now
ra-r che surface the fine roots approach
and what a large number OF them de-
velop and are essential 20 the nourisn-
menf Of the plant Il would be observed
also that the feeding roots are covered
with little fine minute threaaiike naArs.
These are the mouths Of the corn plant
in more senses than one. and as these
little me threads die away as the root
fanrthens. IL is easy TO see that deep
rnlfivation which destroys the ends OF the
roors temporarily at least renders the
uiant incapable Of gathering the needed
supply OF food and moisture This Is but
one OF the hundred useful ana essential
observations which viii be brought home
70 those who viii take the trouble 20
snend an hour or 50 in the corn neld
making an examination along the lines
indicated
When the corn crop is growing Is the
best time to study somethin~ very in
terestfng OF its history. NJ empha-
SIC Is laid on the value OF the knowledge
AZ the ancient philosophers and others
who lived at a period remote from our
present civilization Many Of these an
Gent stories are mere conceits OF the
IMAGINATION. The history Of the corn
plant Is a study. however Of the strug-
gIe OF man for his existence. It's devel-
opment has been contemporaneous with
the advance Of our civilization. IL IS one
or the most beautiful and interesting stO-
rIes 70 which We can direct our attention,
and 1t viii not tend 10 commercialize or
lower our ideals. but rather 10 raise and
elevate our appreciation OF nature and
the wonderful service which she has ten
dered man. providing him with such gifts