The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1912-09-13
How To Shock Corn.

n garde0 as OF much Importance, bu
we think the success In shocking an,
curing depends much more on tn
condition OF the corn and the name
OF making thesshocks. Usually from
100 to 200 stalks are put 10 shock. /
the stalks are large and green, th,
smaller number is better, but Il
the corn is sufficiently mature, VI
would put 200 stalks, at least, to the
shock. When the shocks are too small
a larger proportion Of the corn stovel
is injured by weatherlng and more
labor and time is consumed 10 shock.
Ing. When they are too large the
corn will not cure so we'll. II 1t has
been cut too greeu, and the really
large shocks are little harder to
build exactly right and cannot be tied
well quite so easily.
( The first point 10 shocking is to
locate the point at which the shock is
/ 10 be built When the number of
stalks t0 be put in shock is deter.
mined, then sufficient rows should he
taken to enable the shock to he placed
10 the middle OF the area that is to
supply the corn for that shock. This
lessons the distance the corn must be
carried to build the shock. For In
stance, II 200 stalks are to put 10
shock and the corn is planted 10 four
foot rows, and one foot 10 the rows,
six or eight rows should be taken aud
the shocks put from 25 to 35 feet apart
the way the rows run. II the corn Is
farther apart 10 the rows, more rows
should be taken for such a shock.
There are two methods used 10 start
Ing the shock. One is to tie the tas.
sells OF four plants together, leaving
these plants uncut. In this way a
support for starting the shock IL OBJ
tained and 1t is probably the best
method.
The shock must he built UP evenly
on all sides and the stalks set straight
or prevented from crossing each other.
They should, OF course, be set out a
little at the base so as to make a shock |
smaller at the top than at the bottom.
The tleing is the most difficult part
OF shocking and probably the Most
important. A rope with a hook or
ring an the end is generally used, but
unless used carefully the shock may
be pulled out Of shape. II In pulling |
up the shock for tieing the band, the |
shock is twisted out OF shape, the
turning Or twisting will continue as
the corn dries, and in the end the
shock is almost certain to fall. or get
so out o: shape as to result in the corn
damaging from the effects Of the
weather
Machines are made and sold by /
which the shock may he drawn upf
tightly and the band applied without
twisting the shock. A homemade
one can be provided by taking an old
buggy shaft or other piece OF strong
wood, sharpening one end, so IL can
be passed through the shock and
fastening or passing a cr0ss-piece
through it at the other end. The
long piece may be three feet long,
while the cross-piece may be IS tn "a
inches long. One end OF a piece OF
rope is tied where the pieces of wood
are fastened together and when the
longer, sharp piece OF wood is forced
through the top OF the shock, where
the band is TO be tied, the other end
)f the rope is passed around the shock
and fastened where the two pieces of
wood join. BY turning the instru
ment by means OF the short cross
piece, the rope is twisted tight and
lhe band may be tied as tightly as desir-
ID. In using this home. made instru'
nent it requires two to do the tleing,
-one To hold the rope tight while
men can always do better shocking
Ind tieing than one.
Only one band should be tied. 1t
should be placed just AS high as can
De done and still include all tn, tops
" tassels and prevent the stalks fall I
ny. With our tall Southern corn 6
ibis is sometimes difficult task, but
+ will pay TO use stools or benches to
tand on, IL necessary in order to get :
he bands high enough to make a :
'oiuted shock that will turn water
{ the band is placed high enough and
light enough no retieiDg will be ne
essary, but IL the band is not tied
ight enough, and it is difficult to do
o with the rope and ring or hook
ommonly used, then the band had
,etter be made tight again after the
hooks have cured for a time and the
lands loosened by the shrinking Of
he corn.-The Progressive Farmer.
- - -------