The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-02-02
CORN CULTURE.

CORN CULTURE.
(Written by Carl Rosenquist. OF Rome
township, school No. 35, and
awarded first prize in the boys
contest at the Corn Show.)
1t is an established fact that
through agriculture alone a a ma
ton attain a high degree of civiliza-
ton. No people has ever advanced
far in culture by means of the chase,
and it is we'll known that Europe, be-
fore the Introduction of domesticated
plants, a in q low state of barbar-
ism.
But, since the soil has been titled
more and extensively, civiliza-
ton has steadily gone forward until
it has reached it's present degree of
perfection.
OF all modern cereals, corn is
without doubt the greatest. By its
cultivation the natives of South
America reached a state of civiliza-
ton scarcely surpassed by their
Spanish conquerors. 1t was not long
before the European colonists found
out the value of the newly discovered
grain, and began using it in a variety
of ways. The new cereal was used
more and more, so many new ways
were found in which this wonderful
grain could be made to answer the
wants of man that today, the corn
products are so great in number as
to almost defy the Imagination. 1t
does not seem possible that the same
grain that produces starch, could be
made to yield a kind of rubber; nor
does it appear likely that oil and sug-
ar are obtained from the same kerr
mel. But corn has all Of these Won
derful properties and many more.
OF course a grain so valuable, a
cereal with so many good qualities,
has claimed a great deal of attention
from the learned men of the world.
So much time and money has been
spent in experiments and trials, that
at the present time we know a great
deal about corn culture. Modern ma
chinery has taken the place of the
primitive hoe and the hand-planter,
and many things concerning the
growing of corn once thought to be
of no Importance, are now regarded
as indispensable.
One of the first and most import
ant steps in successful corn-growing
is the proper selection of seed. Too
much attention cannot be paid to this
most necessary part of c%orn-raising.
If any one wishes to produce good
crops he must without fail have good
seed.
The seed corn should be gathered
from the field before it is cold
enough to freeze, or about the tenth
of September. Care must be taken
to select, not the longest ears, but
those which will, when planted, pro-
duce the greatest amount of good
corn. The ideal ear is about ten
inches long; it is of symmetrical form
and shape; it's color and general APP
pearance are good; and it is well fill
ed with fresh deep kernels, all of
which contain live, healthy germs.
AS soon as the seed corn is picked
1t should be hung in a dry, airy room
where the temperature will not fall
very much below the freezing point.
The seed having been secured next
thing of Importance is the prepara-
ton of the seed-bed. The soil of this
ground should be a light, sandy loan.
1t is best to have it plowed in the
early fall, but no other cultivation
should take place until the next year.
But as early as possible in the spring
the seed-bed must be disced, and
thereafter narrowed about once a
week until planting-time to keep the
weeds in check.
The corn, having been shelled and
the lighter particles having been fam
ned out, is now ready for planting. 1t
should be planted as soon as all dan
ger of frost is over, which is usually
about the tenth Of May. The ordi-
nary check-row planter is best to use
and about three kernels should be
dropped in each hill. No exact rule
can be given as to the depth of
planting, on account of the difference
of the seasons. If the ground is dry,
the corn should be planted pretty
deep. This will prevent to a great
extent the ravages of cutworms and
gophers. But if there is a great deal
Of moisture, 1t is best to plant neal
the surface as a wet season is nearly
always cold, and corr needs as much
heat as is possible for it to get al