The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-03-14

six out Of eight years, considerable in
creases in yield were obtained as a re-
suit of early preparation The early
discfng of corn ground Is practiced
extensively and on the whole, is a
satisfactory method of preparing land
for corn throughout most portions of
Kansas where the lister method of
planting is employed.
The best time to disc varies with
the season. If the freezing and thaw-
ing of soil during the late winter
leaves it with a good soil mulch, early
discing is not necessary. 1t would
be better to wait until heavy rain
forms crust or a crop of weeds
starts. If, on the other hand, the
ground is crusted badly when spring
comes up, discing as early as the
condition of the ground will permit
is best. A second discing later may
be advantageous if the ground be-
comes too compact, or a growth OF
weeds start too far in advance OF
planting time. On soils that become
too fine as a result OF the discing.
the alfalfa renovator may be a pref
q dOAS ~ OO0 IL L4AO
ground is free from trash, as it does
not pulverize the soil so much.
Double listing is a very efficient
method of treating ground for corn
under normal conditions. During ex.
tremely dry springs it is not salts
factory method, as the ridged condi-
ton of the ground permits the sur
face soil to dry out too much. Where
the ground is too firm for best re-
suits double listing is preferable to
single listing in that practically all
of the ground is broken up. Also the
subsoil warns up to a better adVant-
age on the listed ground. At the
Manhattan Station double listing,
blank listing early and then splitting
ridges at planting time, has given bet
ter results than single listing. Blank
listing early and listing in the same
burrows has also proved to be better
than single listing at planting time.
In some years fall or early spring
blowing of the ground for listed corn
has given excellent results. The
method is adapted to fairly heavy
soils In the eastern part of the state.
In this way the ground can be put in
excellent tilth. However, if condi-
tons during. the spring are not con-
ducive to the settling of the ground,
too loose a condition will result.
Also, weed seeds turned under by
the pillow are likely to come up in the
bottom of the furrow along with the
corn and cause trouble. Unless the
ground becomes thoroughly settled
it will be impossible to do a good jon
OF listing.
Experiments show that no one
method OF preparing ground for corn
is superior to all other methods foT
all conditions. It is immaterial how
the ground is treated so long as Ger
tain results are obtained; that is, q
favorable condition for the germina
tion and early growth of the corn. In
eastern Kansas, the problem may be
to get rid of excessive moisture
Throughout the central part OF the
state the problem is to maintain the
soil in such a condition that it viii
absorb and retain as much moisture as
possible Just how to proceed to dc
this to the best advantages depends
on the season. The farmer who, by
the use OF good judgment, successful
ly meets these conditions is the one
who will have the best success in the
production of corn.
The yield Of corn depends to a con
siderable extent on the variety and
the quality of the seed planted. Be
cause of the drouth of 1913 very lit
tie home grown corn suitable for seed
purposes is available and corn other
than the 1913 crop of Kansas grown
seed will have to be obtained
The best source of seed for any
given locality is the home grown seed
| Of 1912. This crop was much above
normaJ in quality and vitality and