The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-04-21
CORN GROWING
Selection of Land

Land which has been in grass and
clover sod for year or two is best
for corn. Such land would be IN
creased in fertility by manure, or by
any kind Of vegetable matter plowed
into the soil. The land should be
well drained, otherwise the corn pro-
duced will not pay for labor put upon
ir. Any well-drained land with a
fair quantity Of vegetable matter IN
II can be made to produce a paying
crop by proper fertilization and cul-
t;vation. The manure may be ap-
plied to the land before blowing. 1t
will do the land good to put it on
at any time, even as a top-dresSihg'
Preparation of Seed Bed
The best time to pillow the land Is
in the fall. The freezing Of the soil
pulverizes it and puts it in good CON
dition for the planting of seed and
for holding the moisture. In most
nlaces the land may often be plowed
during the winter months if 1t has
been impossible to do it earlier in the
fall. Plow about six inches deep, and
deeper if not too much dead" clay
would be turned to the surface there
bv. In some cases it may benefit the
seed bed by running a "bull" tongue
or subsoil pillow behind the turning
pillow. This breaks up the subsoil
and gives better drainage without
bringing lifeless clay to the surface.
Immediately after blowing, the
land should be narrowed in order to
break up clods and make the surface
smooth so as to hold moisture bet
ter. This is particularly important
in case the land has been plowed in
the spring. Before planting, harrow
and disk the land as often as time
will permit. These operations con-
serve moisture, kill growing weeds,
and put "life" into the soil. 1t pays
even tho corn planting may be delay
ed thereby. 1t is dangerous to de-
lay corn planting later than May 20.
Fertilizer
Well-rotted stable manure is the
best fertilizer that can be used for
corn. When enough is not available
to spread over an entire field, COM
mercial fertilizer can be used. Com
mercial fertilizer should always be
broadcasted, using from $50 to 300
pounds per acre. This is done so
that the roots which fill all parts of
the upper 8 or inches of soil may
get the food from the fertilizer.
Best results are usually obtained by
hroadeastirg the phosphate before
planting and then thoroly working
it into the soil. When the roots of
the corn are well distributed in all
parts of the soil, or about the time
the corn begins to tassel, the crop
may be economically benefited by the
application of the nitrate Of soda.
This should be scattered between the
rows at the rate of Is to 100 pounds
to the acre.
Get as good seed corn as can be
had in the community and a variety
that is standard and thoroly tested
for the locality. 1t is not advised to
plant such late maturing varieties as
Boone County White and Johnson
County White very late. White and
Yellow Dent and Hickory King corn
can be planted later in the season
than the Boone County White. Test
the seed before planting.
Planting
On good soils that hold moisture
fairly well and have plenty Of plant
food, plant 8 feet inches each way,
or drill 10 to IS inches in the row
and 8 feet inches apart, putting
two or three grains TO the hill, de-
pending on the fertility and water
holding power Of the soil. Plant not
over 8 inches deep. A uniform stand
may be obtained by planting to 1
grains of tested corn in the hill and
thinning to 2 to stalks TO the hill,
according to the fertility Of the soil.
Plant as soon as the seed bed is n
good condition and weather permits
Cultivation
On smooth, loose ground without
stones it does not injure corn to har'
row the ground anytime after plant
ing until the corn is 2 to inches
high. 1t is best to slant the teeti
Of the harrow. Narrowing clean
the ground and conserves moisture
Cultivate every week or ten days
when possible. Use a small tooth
cultivator and cultivate shallow. TIL
principal aim in cultivating should b
TO keep down weed growth, which