The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-06-01


lglore they have used much soil
moisture but to destroy weeds that
are well rooted, the soil must he
worked deeply and thoroughly. Such
deep ultivation, specialists in the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture say, not only means more labor
but it can not be accomplished with
out breaking and destroying many
orn roots.
If corn land has been properly
prepared, deep cultivation is not adj
visable. IL should never be done
close to the plants after they are a
foot high, as much harm would be
4done by breaking Their cots.
To get an early start of the weeds.
in many sections or in seasons when
seed terminates slowly, it is adj
visable to harrow once or twice or
otherwise to cultivate the field be-
fore corn comes up. Limited moisture
makes thin stands necessary and ii is
poor management to allow grass and
weeds to rob the corn of this mois-
ture.
! Aside from destroying weeds. time
ly Utilization is beneficial in prevent
| ing the loss of moisture by evapora-
! tion and also in fastening the warm
ing of the soill The loss of soil
moisture by evaporation continues
much longer from a compact, damp
surface. than from loose, dry sur
fac. and the evaporation tends to
keep the soil cold.
In northern localities and at high
attitudes the observation of heat is
frequently as important as the con-
servaiton of moisture Luckily, both
heat and moisture may be conserved
by good. timely cultivation. Heat
is wasted in evaporating or wasting
soil moisture. Making the surface
loose and dry saves both soil heat
and soil moisture.
Cultivating after heavy rains is a
good practice. To be most effective
the cultivating should be done as
soon as the surface is dry enough to
work well. If the soil is allowed to
dry until il breaks up cloddy, much |
moisture will be lost, a 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, cultiyators which
work two or more rows are great
/
The number of cultivators necess-
airy and the best time for them de-
pend upon weather and soil condi-
tons Weeds should not be allowed
to grow, and a mellow surface should
be maintained In some seasons this
may be effectually accomplished with
one or two civilizations in other seas
ons 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
S sufficiently loose and dry to reduce
is open enough to pre-
rent run-off, and no weeds are start
ng, a cultivation could do no good &
md if carelessly performed would
10 injury to the corn !
Corn should be cultivated only I
When one or more objects will be
accomplished by the cultivation and
When the total effects will be more c
beneficial than injurious The bene-
icial effects of cultivation are; g
o. Preventing weeds from rob !
ling the corn of soil moisture and !
ertility.
ca Putting the surface III cOndi-
ion to take in rainfall. thus pre- c
cnting run-oh and erosion, which
mean losses of water and soil ferti- ;
ty.
go Warming the soil by drying u
Is surface quickly. ie
ca Saving moisture by checking
Is capillary rise to the soil furface.
Some injurious effects of cultiva- v
ion are:
% Breaking the corn roots which d
therwise would use some of the
loisture of light showers before it u
vaporates; and
(2) Forming large clods and air
PAGES, thus permitting air to enter Il
nd dry the soil.
Eat More Corn.
Ordinarily the quantity of corn pro- I