The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-11-29
ION MONTANA AND HOW
TO MAKE SURE "A GOOD CROP

" ROM a little over 100000 bushels in 1870 to almost lOOUOOO
II bushels in 1928 that is the remarkable history of corn growing
IL in Montana during the last four years. But as striking as these
ta5a which is even more interesting. Members of Montana's boys and
eirls corn clubs increased from 13l in 1920 to 485 in 1923 and the corn
produced BY BY 5 the young obnb people ?D t Jumped s9ee from ne;o approximately '''o Ousn-
Thus the new circular Corn Growing in Montana for Juniors. BY
A T. Ogaard. Extension Agronomist, issued by the Montana Extension
Service, is timely and appropriate. However, while the bulletin IS
adults, too, will find it a source of valuable information on corn grow
- Following the brief opening chapter discussing corn club work, the
circular launches into a plain, every day discussion of the various
phases Of corn production. 1t brings out that corn was originally a
tropical plant and that only through a gradual process hI. Of u adaptation 9t ton
in the colder regions. Because Of this the advice is given 10 grow the
finest corn that climate and soil will permit and that the best corn
to use for seed is that which has been produced nearby or under as
nearly identical conditions as possible. To use seed corn that has been
grown in Iowa or Nebraska is simply ignoring the work that has been
done and starting again at the beginning.
In discussing types Of corn it is brought out that certain varieties
are adapted for hogging off, certain others are particularly valuable Tor
silage and fodder and still others can be depended upon to produce ma.
maturity and the corresponding food value are explained by iIlustra-
tons and diagrams. Corn when just tasseing out has only about one.
the fact that there may be no difference in size of the stalks.
A short chapter on seed corn testing for termination explains Doth
the rag doll and sand box methods of testing
How to select land for the growing of corn is a question that IS care
fully answered, pointing out that such matters as soil types, drainage
direction of slope and other such factors are of considerable import
ance in producing a good corn crop.
Under the subject of preparing land for seeding the circular explains
that an oblong field is more conveniently handled than a square one,
that corn will stand fairly deep blowing, that the he earlier the work on
ing after blowing will conserve moisture and provide the desired sur
Corn planting time in Montana may be set as somewhere between
May 5h and May 10th, depending upon the season and the location
While too early planting, while the SOIL IS SCH COld, IS nOl CONucWu u
it is better to take a chance on the frosts and plant fairly early than to
wait too long and reduce the chances of a mature crop. vi the three
methods of planting corn the check row method is advanced over listing
or drilling as it provides an opportunity for cultivation in two drec-
tions. In check rowing, two or three kernas to a hill about AZ inches
apart will give the proper stand and one bushel Of corn will plant from
seven to nine acres. In drilling, a kernal of corn should be dropped
every Il to Is inches. When the season is wet and cool shallow plant
inc Of about one inch in depth is recommended, otherwise planting two
inches deep is about right.
The discussion of cultivation is thorough and complete, bringing
out the proper methods, the tools best adapted and the reasons for cul
tivating. A convincing sketch illustrates the proper and improper
methods Of cultivating, showing how a narrow shoveled cultivator
penetrating too deeply injuries the roots and how a wide or duck foot
cultvator skins along just beneath the surface Of the ground and &C
compishes the desired purpose without damage to the plant.
Tn this newly adapted corn country, corn has but few enemies and
none that might be considered real serious. Grasshoppers and gophers
may be troublesome and they may be controlled in the ordinary way.
Wire worms may do some damage and both the army cut worm and the
pale western cut worm has been troublesome in the past. Wire worms
may be controlled by rotation and poisoned bran mash will prove etfec-
tive against the army cut worm. No definite control measures haveI
been worked out for the pale western cut worm although 1t appears that
this pest is less troublesome than it was two or three years ago.
The bulletin closes with a discussion of the harvesting of corn, Sc
lecting seed from the field, drying and storing seed during the winter
and the points considered in judging corn.
ST. 400 600 on the contract basso oil