Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-05-25

a&Lt22 kAAN
rows, and that they are very near the
surface. This is particularly r in
this region, where the ground below
is usually cold and moisture is held
near the surface so that the roots
win be found growing very shaIloy.
The Corn Plant Develops Three
Root Systems
If carefully studied it will be found
that there are three root systems de-
veloped during the growth of the
corn plant. When a kernel of oorn
first terminates three small roots
will come out from the germ in the
grain. These take hold of the soil,
and apparently gather moisture to
support the stalk end of the sprout
until it has reached the surface and
developed one or two leaves. About
this time it will be found that lust at
the top of the moist soil there will
be a large number of roots appearing.
This may be an C or two above
where the grain of corr was planted.
That is, the depth of planting a grain
of corn has nothing to do with the
depth at which the main root system
develops in the soil. These primary
roots which first appear continue to
assist in supporting the plant, but
they never develop TO any extent.
The second system of roots which ap-
pears at the top Of the moist soil, is
the one hat takes up the moisture and
plant food during the early growth of
the corn plant. Later about the time
the tassel begins to appear on the
corr plant, roots will start from the
joints on the corn plant, right at or
above the surface of the ground. These
roots are known as brace roots and
they make a very rapid growth, and
go much deeper than either of the
other systems mentioned. They are
the roots which apparently take up
moisture TO supply the corn plant
during the latter stages of growth;
that is, during the time when the ear
is being developed. H
It will be found that most of the
fine roots that extend out near the
surface of the ground, will be dead
before the corn has ripened and that
the plant is depending entirely on the
last system of roots. II is the second
of roots which appear near the
surface of the ground during the early
of growth of the corr plant,
that take up the plant food from the
soil which is needed by the corn
plant. /:
There probably could be no greater
damage done to any plant than to des-
troy the roots which are taking up the
plant food and moisture for support /:
Of growth. This damage is more no.
ticeable If the ground is rather dry I:
At the time of cultivation. There are (:
many experiments on record showing (:
he damage that may be done by deep I:
cultivation, after the corr has reached /:
height of two or three feet. This :
means that the cultivation must be :
after the first or second time. :
Shallow cultivation is more easily :
lone, and for that reason the corn :
nay be gone over more frequently. :
Kind of Cultivator to Use :
There is perhaps no line of farm :
machinery that shows so great a :
as corn cultivating tools. For :
reason it is rather hard to deter :
nine just what c%ultivator would be q
'est. 1t is a fact, however, that there :
re conditions of soil which will to a :
kE tALCiL QGttt IAitt W4Ad III VI n
.ultivator would do best. There is !
lso individual preference in this, the !
anne as in any other question. 4
There Is a great deal Of argument Z
those IN favor of the shovel
nd surface or tower cultiyator. as .
5eli as between those who favor two \
r more shovels to the gang. For all I
onditions, however, it is probable that n
he shovel cultivator gives the most !
satisfactory results and for conditions =
l this region it is believed that three
lat sweep shovels to the gang will
e found satisfactory in most intances.
hese can be adjusted to run very
leave the ground level, and a
0 not clog or bother. o
With ~cultivators, as with all other o
of machinerey, there is prob b
more in the operation Of the ma n
nine than there is in the brand or p
rake. That is, it is hardly to be r
Rpesed-that-an cultivation ON the a,
larket today would not be found sat d
handled. 1t is true, however, m
individuals have special prefer a
ices for certain makes or designs. q,
In this region of large farms, and 81
here it is desirable to cultivate Of
lallow and frequently, it will doubt n,
SIS be found that the two row culti- II
ator will give very satisfactory re- OF
and anyone handling more than fl
'rty acres of corn would probably 81
) justified in having a two row cul-
vator. These ~cultivators are hand b,
d by three good horses. A mar who in
lderstands the work or is inclined to "
careful, viii do as good a job as iii
70 men with the ordinary cultivator. Ii,
In handling six to eight hundred sa
res of corn in the corr belt we st
und is advisable to have part of DC
e equipment two and part one row co
~ltivators. That is, If the corn was to
Their small when cultivation was be- is
IN, and the ground not in the best sn
ndition, the average man will do w,
better job with one than with two of
WIS. After the orr has been gone
once or TWICE with the one row pr
e two row can be used with entire vi
tisfaction. do