Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-05-25
OF CORN SHOULD
BEGIN EARLY.
Moisture Before Plants are
Up il Need BE.

WASHINGTON, d. c. - Cultiva.
: ton should not be delayed in the
corn until the field looks weedy. Only
a little stirring of the soil is required
( to kill weeds Immediately after they
terminate and before they have used
much soil moisture, but to destroy
weeds that are we'll rooted, the soil
must be worked deeply and thorough
ly. Such deep cultivation, specialists
in the L. S. Department of Agricul.
ture say, not only means more labor
but it can not be accomplished with,
out breaking and destroying many
corn roots.
If corn land has been properly pre-
pared, deep cultivation is not advis-
able. 1t should never be done close
to the plants after they are a foot
high, as much harm would be done
by breaking the roots.
To get an early start of weeds, in
many sections or in seasons when
seed terminates slowly, it is advisable
to harrow once or twice or other
wise to cultivate the field before corn
comes up. Limited moisture makes
thin stands necessary and 1t is poor
management to allow grass and
weeds, to rob the corn of it's moisture.
Aside from destroying weeds, time
ly cultivation is beneficial in prevent
ing the loss of moisture by evapora-
ton and also in Fastening the warm
ing of the soil. The loss of soil
moisture by evaporation continues
much longer from compact, damp
surface than from loose, dry sur
face, and the evaporation tends to
keep the soil cold.
In northern localities and at high
attitudes the conservation of heat is
frequently as important as the con-
servation of moisture. Luckily, both
heat and moisture may be conserved
by good, timely cultivation. Heat is
wasted in evaporation or wasting soil
moisture. Making the surface loose
and dry saves both soil heat and soil
moisture.
Cultivating after heavy rainssis a
good practice. To be most effective
the cultivating should be done as
soon as the surface is dry enough to
work we'll. If the soil is allowed to
dry until it breaks up cloddy, much
moisture will be lost, good mulch
can not be obtained and harm is
more likely to be done to the corn
roots. AS long as rapid evaporation
is taking place, the surface will re-
main cold and the growth OF the
corn will be slow. In order to cover
large areas quickly, cultivators which
work two or more rows are a great
advantage.
The number Of civilizations neces-
sary and the best time for them de-
pend upon weather and soil condi-
ti6ns. Weeds should not be allowed
to grow, and mellow surface should
be maintained. In some seasons this
may be effectually accomplished with
one or two civilizations; in other sea-
sons from four to six civilizations
may be necessary.
Nothing can be gained by continu-
ing cultivation in cornfields free from
weeds and in which the soil surface
is mellow. When the surface is
sufficiently loose and dry to reduce
evaporation, is open enough to pre-
vent run-off, and no weeds are start
ing, a cultivation could do no good
and If carelessly performed would
do injury to the corn.
Corn should be cultivated only
when one or more objects will be ac-
complished by the cultivation and
when the total effects will be more
beneficial than injurious. The bene-
fetal effects of cultivation are:
Cd Preventing weeds from rob-
bling the corn of soil moisture and
fertility.
CD Putting the surface in condi-
ton to take in rainfall, thus prevent
ing run-off and erosion, which means
losses of water and soil fertility.
60 Warming the soil by drying
it's surface quickly.
ca Saving moisture by checking
its capillary rise to the soil surface.
Some injurious effects of cultiva-
ton are:
% Breaking the corn roots which
otherwise would use some of the
moisture of light showers before It'll
and
CD Forming large clods and air
spaces, thus permitting air to enter
and dry the soil.