The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-06-06
CORN CULTIVATION
Primary Object is to Prevent Loss
of Soil Moisture-Important To
Keep Fields Free of Weeds.

Corn should be cultivated only
when one or more objects will be
accomplished by the cultivation and
when the total effects will be more
beneficial than injurious, according
TO United States Department of Agri-
culture Farmers Bulletin 773. Some
beneficial effects are U preventing
weeds from robbing the corn of soil
moisture and fertility: (2) putting
the surface in condition to take in
rainfall, thus preventing run-off and
erosion-losses of water and soil by
fertility; 81 warming the soil by
drying its surface quickly; and az
saving moisture by checking its ca
pillary rise to the surface.
Some injurious effects are ~
breaking corn roots, which other
wise would use some of the moist
ure of light showers before it evap-
crates: and (2) forming large clods
and holes, thus permitting dry air
to enter and dry the soil.
In droughty regions corn cultiva-
ton is more essential and requires
more good judgement than in most
other sections.
The primary object Of cultivation
is to prevent loss Of moisture.
Moisture losses are caused by run
off, evaporation, and, most OF all,
weed growth. A most important
object of corn cultivation is the
keeping out of weeds. II takes but
little stirring Of the soil TO Kill
weeds Immediately after they ger
inmate and before they have used
much soil moisture, but to destroy
weeds that are we'll rooted the soil
must be worked deeply and thro-
roughly. This requires much labor
and cannot be accomplished with
out breaking and destroying many
corn roots. In many sections, or IN
seasons when the seed terminate
slowly, il is advisable to harrow
once or twice or to cultivate before
the corn comes up.
Deep cultivation should never be
done close to the plants after they
are a foot tall, as much harm would
be done by breaking the corn roots.
Aside from destroying weeds,
timely cultivation is beneficial in
preventing the loss OF moisture by
evaporation and also in fastening
the warming of the soil. The loss
of moisture by evaporation contin-
ues much longer from a compact,
damp surface than from loose, dry
surface, 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
conservation of moisture. Luckily,
both heat and moisture may be con-
served 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 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. II the soil is allowed
u 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 sur
face will remain cold and the growth
of the corn will be slow. In order
10 cover large areas quickly, Guilt
yators which work two or more
rows are a great advantage.
The number OF civilizations neces-
sary and the best time for them de-
ponds upon weather and soil condi-
tions. Weeds should not be allowed
% grow; a mellow surface should
be maintained. In some season:
this may be effectively accomplish
ed with one or two civilizations; II
other seasons from four TO six cul-
tivations may be necessary.