The Springdale news., 1918-06-14
MUST CULTIVATE
YOUR CORN FIELD
Coed Cultivation Depencs Upon Same
Principle Fer Its Effectiveness.

iy cultivated. cultivation pracuCeS
vary in different localities depending
upon the character of the soil, habits
of weeds to combat, and upon labor
conditions. However, good cultivation
depends upon the same general prin-
ciples for its effectiveness. Exper-
fence OF farmers everywhere has
shown the value Of cultivation in
making corn crops
The most important object OF cul-
tivaticn is to get rid of weeds. Weeds
plant food and moisture and practical
ly no grain will be obtained II these
are not removed Experiment sta
tions have shown that the elimination
Of weeds is the biggest reason for
cultivation. Aside from this, cultiva-
and to aerate the soil and make plant
food available.
When young corn plants are getting
started, cultivation Is necessary to
loosen up the surface on tightly pack
ed soils and to pulverize the surface
vi SAayCy bOllbY WulOh tCbo w WAN.
This reduces the amount OF surface
evaporation and therefore conserves
moisture. At the same time q cult
waited soil is warm and more favorable
to early growth OF the young corn
plants.
Depth Of Cultivation important.
The depth of cultivation will natur-
ally depend upon the character of the
root system of the corn plant. Thu
roots of the corn plant extend down.
ward and laterally and within 4
month are estimated to have a lateral
expansion of two feet and in two
months the spread has a radius OF
about four feet. The depth Of the
roots below the surface depends upon
the moisture conditions. In wet
season and late in the season when
the ground is shaded the roots are al
most at the surface, but ordinarily in
the growing season they are estimat-
ed to be at about three to four
inches below the surface in the mid
die Of the row and somewhat closer TO
the surface nearer the corn plant.
Shallow or surface civilizations two
or three inches in depth, may be made
effective in keeping down weeds and
do no appreciate harm 10 the roots of
the corn plant. Deep cultivation is
practicable only when the weeds have
made such start that no other
course is possible TO get rid Of them.
How and When To Cultivate.
The best time to begin cultivation
is before the crop is planted. This
can be done by carefully disking and
narrowing a we'll broken seed led. If
the surface does not become too badly
packed weeder or harrow can be
used to excellent advantage Just be
fore the corn comes up, and again al
ter the first two leaves are above
ground. Such cultivation is economi-
cal since one covers the ground rapid
ly. The regular civilizations with the
corn cultivator should begin when the
plant is about six inches high Or
earlier when the use of harrow has
been impraeticable. When the ground
is packed 1t is practicable to cultivate
the young plants fairly deeply with
out harm, but this is unnecessary
unless the seed bed has not been we'll
prepared All later civilizations should
be shallow The corn field should be
cultivated frequently enough TO make
certain that weeds do not get a start
II is good plan to figure on cultivat-
Ing once every ten DAYS until the
corn is waist high, or once after every
packing rain.
There are many types Of cultiya tors
which can be used 70 good advantage
II properly adjusted CuluYators WITH
three or four small shovels 10 each
gang are 10 be preferred to large
shovel culti'ators which have a ten
dency to so too deeply. Sweeps If
the buzzard wing type. gopher blades
correctly set, or apring-tooth attach
ments are very sst.s factory when adj
jasted SO as to cut the weeds eff one
to one and half inches below the
surface
After the corn gets toe high for
the two-herse= cl.iti..ator the onezhorse
Gee Whiz" Of tho spring-tooth type
Is excellent. Care should be taken TO
make certain that none of the teeth
are penetrating toe deeply especially
near the corn plants
Wher re lay. BY
The question ri when "a lay -. norr,