The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-18
Corn as a Factor IN Crop
Production in North Dakota

That North Dakota corn viii some
day be factor in the markets Of the
world, that it is a splendid crop for
the state, and that II Is almost i'm
perative to raise 1t to get the best re-
suits, were some Of the things brought
out in the address yesterday afternoon
Of Prof. A. B. Hess, superintendent Of
schools of Larimore, N. D., at the
Grain Growers convention.
Mr.. Hess said: Corn Is one OF the
staple crops on all we'll regulated farms
In reasonable climatic areas, 1t Ia a
crop that Ia most valuable for Its
forage.
1t furnishes a valuable fodder for
all farm animals. When cut and field
cured II becomes most acceptable
forage for both horses and cattle and
Is reasonably sure when other forage
crops fall. 1t can be successfully
raised In this latitude irrespective OF
the amount of rainfall during the
growing season. The seed bed, its
planting and cultivation, can be SO
arranged as to conserve the moisture
already in the soil. AS slower crop
1t is equal to hay for horses and more
digestible and nourishing for the dairy
and of immense Importance to the
beef type because Of the variety of
nutriments II contains. Then as a
silage crop for the dairy 1t has no
equal, producing more milk of better
quality than any other forage except
possibly the legumes.
Grain Crop.
1t is a reasonably reliable grain crop,
furnishing a grain that is easily d.
gested; full of protein, carbohydrates
and fats. The average maturing field
cured corn contains from to Is per
cent protein; nitrogen free extract
from Sc to 70 per cent fats, and ash
from / to per cent. This ash con-
stituent contains large proportions of
phosphoric acid, potash, and magne-
stun and but little lime. This makes
it a valuable food for growing stock,
especially pigs.
Cleans the Land.
Corn forms an excellent weed killer
and cleanser of foul seed polluted soil.
In this respect alone 1t Is vaIuble on
lands which have been cropped con-
tinually with the same crop, such as
oats, wheat, or barley. Corn is cul-
tivated at a time when the weeds are
small and easily destroyed and the
continual stirring of the soil brings
the seeds to the surface where they
terminate and are thus destroyed. No
better crop can be planted that will
destroy the Canada thistle and quack
grass which are gaining such foot
hold In this section.
Betkers PhvsicaI Condition
: The corn plant, by the very nature
Of its root system, is most excellent
adapted for the lettering OF the ply
steal condition of the soil by breaking
up the soil elements and rendering
them available for plant food. The
roots of a single corn plant extend TO
a distance of from one to three and a
half feet on each side and to a depth
of from one to three and ne-half feet,
according to the nature of the subsoll
and the season. This vast root system,
penetrating the subsoil brings up soil
moisture saturated with the mineral
elements and brings both to condi-
ton and position Of plant availability.
The fact that the corn has f1brous
root system also confirms the opinion
that the physical condition is much
improved.
Conserves Moisture.
In a semi-arid region no better plant
can be used to conserve moisture, for
by bringing the subsoil moisture to
the surface and then held by the con-
stantly renewed dust blanket not only
supplies moisture for itself but for the
following crop.
Then by Transportation of moisture
through the blade much moisture is
added to the air surrounding the grow
ing plant. This species has the happy
faculty in itself to conserve moisture
when it is scarce for it frequently
rolls up its blades to prevent or lessen
Transportation. During the past year
we were given splendid opportuni-
ty to see the results of corn as a
conserver of moisture for the grain
raised on corn ground was much bet
ter than that on adjoining section with
a grain crop following grain.
Soil Requirements.
What does corn take from the soil?
II we consider this question from the
figures computed BIZ the best authori-
ties we find that the average yield
per acre I'm the United States last year
to be about thirty bushels of shelled
corn Now to produce this yield there
must be obtained from the soil S0.57
lbs OF nitrogen, 11.76 lbs. OF phos-
phoric acid and 6.72 lbs, of potash or
1905 lbs. Of these substances. per acre.
Nitrogen in commercial form is val
ued at 20 cents per lb,)
3O.57@20c. ..........-.$ GIL
acid, 11.76Q5c.... so
Potash. 6.72G4c.. ............t.. .27
Total nutriment foods per acre. SO 81
Returns Per Acre.
Estimating the value of the product
at present prices we have:
Corn. 80 bu.@481sc. .............$14.55
Fodder. IA tons@s6.O0 ......., 14.4o
Total ....... .s2s .s5
Cost of producing corn per acre:
Flowing ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS go
Discing .-.-....,....'..s. .oV