Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-04-17
WAYS To HEAD OFF:
THE EARLY FROST IN.
FALL IS OUTLINED

WASHINGTON, d. c., April IL
Early fall frosts every few years cause
enormous losses of corn in the north
ern third of the United States. Each
September, there is a feeling of fear
that frosts may come ten days earlier
than usual and prevent the corn from
ripening. Every fall, millions of peo-
pie are hoping that the first freeze will
be delayed ten days longer. This anx-
iety and this oft recurring loss due to
fall frosts, can be largely prevented by
earlier planting.
Concerning the ability of corn to
withstand low temperatures, some
work conducted during the past three
years by the Office of Corn Investiga-
tons of the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture in Southern. Central and
Northern states, has brought out
points of practical value Points
which can now be proftably applied
in the northern third of the United
States are.
l. Seed corn that natures properly
ard is thoroughly dried as soon as ma
ture and kept dry will give strong
termination.
2. Seed corn of strong termination
can be planted several weeks earlier
than ordinary seed. Ordinary seed
will rot where proper seed will not.
Valuable points in connection with
seed of strong termination are its
ability to stand planting earlier, &c
utilize more fully the growing season.
to mature earlier and to produce
larger and a better matured CROP
3. Very early planted corn makes
slower growth above ground than late
planted corn, is not SO tender and
consequently not so badly injured by
spring frosts.
4. In general earliness of matur-
ity means smallness in size and yield.
l. is a mistake to choose the earliest
maturing varieties where larger and
more productive variety can be ripen-
ed by earlier. planting.
With seed corn of strong germina-
ton (Which is not as scarce as usual
this spring., it is not advisable to wait
...4;1 zoaoo, f,o,,, frOc+ ie poct bnfOrn
planting. The ten days more of grow
ing weather so anXiously needed in
the fall can be secured by planting
several weeks earlier than usual. With
seed of strong termination, no fear
need be felt because of cold soil Or
frosts. A good root growth will take
place and the growth above ground
will be so slow and hardy that it will
withstand cold weather and frosts bet
ter than later planted corn.
Thick planting should be made, SO
that although the weakest plants are
killed by frosts and insects destroy
some, sufficient number of the
most vigorous plants will remain to
maintain full stand. After planting,
the soil surface should be kept dry
and warm by frequent civilizations.
In the District of Columbia, good
stands have been obtained from plant
ings made in February where the
ground froze several times after
planting. In North Dakota, good
stands have been obtained from plant
ings made in April and in northern
Ohio, one hundred bushels of mature
shelled corn per acre have been pro-
duced by plants whose leaves were
frozen off after the plants had attained
a height of twelve to eighteen inches,
1t is the fall and not the spring
frosts that should be feared.
Early planted corn natures earlier
and usually yields better than later
planted corn Earlier planting will
result in larger and better crops in
the northern third of the United
States and cause sufficiently early rip
ening to reduce the enormous losses
which frequently occur through failure
of the corn crop to mature before
growth is, stopped by frost.
G. p. HARTLEY,
In Charge of Corn Investigations, L
S. Department of Agriculture.