Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-04-23

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Work.
Corn Is capital, and when rightly
invested In food for man or beast, re-
turns greater dividends than any other
farm crop. Practically one-third of
the area Of farm crops, and one-fifth
Of the improved lands of the United
States Is devoted to corn. Except in
few localities In the United States,
n mans standing in the community as
farmer Is rated by his ability and
achievements in corn production Ii
Is the greatest and surest source of
food on the farm. Increased produc-
ton Is easily secured by increasing
the acreage or growing more corn per
acre. The latter means is more eco
nomical, when obtained by improved
soil or soil conditions, good seed,
proper fertilization and cultivation.
The greatest increase In yield must be
expected from improved soil cendi-
tions.
SELECTION OF THE LAND-Ideal
soil for corn is well drained, deep,
loose loan, well supplied with decayed
organic matter TO hold moisture and
possible plant food. This soil is
seldom found. Corn is being grown
on a greater variety of agricultural
soils than any other crop. Many OF
these soils are too poor To grow corn
proftably, but should first be built up.
This:building up can not be permanent
ly or probably done by the use oil
commercial fertilizers alone, but when
rightly combined with manure and
legumes, this insures real, Legitimate
profit.
After the condition of the soil, water
Is the determining factor in corn pro-
duction, $50 TO 700 pounds being re-
CURED 70 make one pound Of dry mat
ter.
FLOWING Break corn land eight
inches deep. This blowing should be
done In the fall or winter, unless a
cover crop Is grown or the land washes,
runs together or is thin; otherwise,
pillow in the early spring, ut n time
pudding or clods all not occur. II
the land has not been broken to the
above depth at some former blowing,
increase the depth of blowing gradu-
ally, by blowing each time not more
than too inches deeper in the fall, and
one inch deeper in the spring.
In the spring harrow every half
days blowing, to prevent clods. Fall
and winter blowing can be left rough
during the winter. Sod lands, unless
rolling, inclined to pack or thin, are
best plowed in the fall or winter.
Disking before blowing conserves
moisture and tends TO prevent clods.
The SEED BED-No amount of cult
walton after planting can make up for
neglect preparing the seed bed. Disc
and harrow fall blowing at least twice
before planting. Spring blowing win
need the same treatment, and often
more. Mash any clods present with q
plank drag. Harrow the land often
enough before planting to keep it soft
and moist and destroy young weeds.
FERTfI.IzERs-The kind and quantity
varies with soil characteristics and
conditions. Stable manure and turned
under legumes stand first in value, ard
should be the source of nitrogen.
Phosphoric acid pays on almost all
soils, and potash on many, especially
those that are light colored, sandy or
thin. Three hundred pounds OF IL per
cent. acid phosphate and 40 pounds of
muriate OF potash should give good
results. II the potash is not needed,
it should not be applied. II soil is
deficient in nitrogen and no manure or
legumes are used, apply 100 pounds of
nitrate of soda broadcast in the row
when the corn is IL to Is inches high.
All fertilizers except nitrate of soda
should be applied broadcast and har-
rowed into the soil when the seed bed
Is being prepared.
SEED CoRN--Any variety that yields
and natures well in the locality should
be planted. Use only live, tested seed.
Nub and tip all ears before Smelling,
otherwise the seed can not be evenly
dropped by the planter. Never inn
port seed corn for the main crop. III
new seed is necessary, get it from
some neighbor. When starting with
new variety, get only enough for
small plot. II the variety proves sue
cessful, seed can be selected for next
years planting.
TINE TO PLANT-Plant as soon as
the ground is warm enough for prompt
termination, and not before. Early
planting generally gives best results.
Aim to finish by May 10th.
Local conditions, such as late sea-
sons, rainfall, cold soils, or the pres
ence of cover crop, sometimes delay
the time of planting.
METHOD OF PLANTING-The differ
ence in yield between planting in
checks or In the drill is slightly in
favor of the latter, but generally, the
difference is not great enough to pay
for the extra labor required to destroy
the weeds in the drill. A good rule
70 follow is: II the land Is foul with
weed seed, or labor. is scarce, check
the corn; IL the land is clean, either
method can be employed: il it is roll
ing land, drill the corn by all means. |
Planting on the level is easiest and
best, except in wet, stiff bottoms. where
ridging Is likely to prove most sue
cessfui. On certain loose, dry, sandy, |
soils or late in a dry spring, planting |
in q shovel furrow gives good results. |
RATE OF PLANTING Yield is closely |
related to the rate of planting. MI
maximum results are expected. plant
as thick as the land will bear. Gen