The Green Forest tribune., 1917-06-29
Don't Ridge Your Corn.

Don't Ridge Your Corn.
 The cotton and corn and all other crops will grow fast now with the warm weather and sunshine, and they need to be pushed with constant work and close cultivation. 1 see thousands of acres of corn and cotton in the State ''rldged up," notwithstanding the volumes that have been written and and spoken against such practice and the constant advice of the farm dem onstration agents to the contrary. Flat and shallow cultivation is the only protection the farmer has against drouth. It is not too late now to get i the benefit of flat and shallow culvation for this year for those who will begin now. Use side harrows, the spring tooth harrow and the geeWhiz, and let the cultivation be not over two inches deep. This will crumble the dirt and make it loose, and continued cultiva- tion this way will give you coat of dust on top of the ground. This will hold moisture in the ground. Ihe sun cannot evaporate it through the dust. If you throw up deep, fresh ploWed ridges the sun will cvapurate all the moisture and none vii! be left for the plants. If you will leave it where it is and scratch it on top and make a dust blanket the moisture will stay down in the ground where the roots can reach it and get it.
 It may be tbat you broke tie ground 50 shallow that you feel like you ought to let your blow down and loosen the ground so the roots can get about. If so, you made mistake in not breaking Your ground deep enough in the first place. However, dc not make two mistakes, by blowing deep nov and throwing up ridge to the row and taking the dirt away from the roots in the miGdles. Remember that the plants must have food the same as you, and that they take ali their food in liquid form. It is the ends of the roots that take in the food, through moist gre, and the ends of the roots are con tinually pushing out in the middles. Remember, too, that if you put your blow down deep next to the TOW that you are going to break off lot of the little roots that are drawing the moist ure and feeding the plant.
 Prepare for dry weather by blowing shallow and often. Don talow a crust to form on the soil When it does the sun will draw out the moisture and starve the plnat Don't quit your crop too soon. Cultivate your crop as long 3s you can without damage to 1t. When the plants are putting on fruit they need all the food and care they can get. When you fatten hogs you do not put them up and feed them until they are in good order and then turn them out to get fat, but you keep on feeding all they will eat, because you know when they are in good condition they will put on flesh faster. Treat your crops the same Way-It will pay you. John +. Page,
 Commissioner of Agriculture.
 Maple
 Wheat and oat harvest are now in progress.
 Huckleoerries are plentiful
 Mrs Chas Evans of Kansas is visiting her parents, Mir. and Mrs. T. Minnici
 ;. NJ. Lovett and wife of Cisco spent Sunday with friends.
 John Trantham of Forum, Okla, was here Sunday renewing old acquaint- ances.
 Mrs. J. D. Harvey expects to leave soon for month s stay in Denver, Colo, for the benefit of her health.
 There will be picnic at Oak Grove, July Fourth. Everyone invited to at tend.
 J. D. Harvey has lost fine colt
 A large number of friends attended the birthday dinner given in honor of Mrs. Tuck Minnck last Sunday and all report sumptuous dinner and general good time.
 B. II. Pinkley and Miss Ada Lewis were united in marriage at the home of the officiating clergyman, Rev. Minnick, Sunday, June, 24 We wish them many years of happy welded life. The young folks gave them royal serenade the following night.