Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-05-17
AGRICULTURE

Corn is one OF the most important
cereal crops and is so essential to the
production of food supply for both
man and beast, it is very important
that this crop be given careful atten-
ton and at the proper time. N
Like it is with gardening, good
many farmers have an idea that cul-
tivation is solely for the purpose of
destroying and keeping down weeds
and grass. While such are important
factors, yet, this is only one object Of
cultivation. The roots of the corn
plant require air just the same as the
tops, and if the ground becomes hard
and packed, the roots of the plants
cannot get stuff 'cient air and for this
reason plants often turn yellow. and
die. So it is very important to KEEP
the soil loose and mellow. Another
important object Of cultivation is to
conserve moisture which is accom-
plished by frequent and shallow cul-
tivation, being very essential in dry
weather.
It is we'll known fact that every
heavy rain packs the surface soil OF
che seed bed. Now, tn S hard, packed
condition of the surface or top soil
causes the rise of soil moisture, hast
ching evaporation. So after each
rain, just as soon as the soil is in fiji
condition to handle, cultivation should
begin so as to get the soil in a finely
pulverized cond ton, which will have
great tendency to prevent or lessen
the escape Of moisture.
Never cultivate when the soil seems
to be too wet To test it, take up Il
small handful and press it closely to
geher, then release. IF it falls from.
the hand in a fine loose condition, i.
S ready for cultivation; but if yo,
can notice the shiny particles OF
water in it and it remains in sole
lump, it is too wet to handle. Whel
the soil is worked too wet, this tends
to make it of hard, cloddy nature,
as fast as it dries, which makes it i'm
possible to get it in proper condition
at the next cultivation. So always a.
void cultivating wet ground. 4
It is usually best to practice shall
low cultivation. OF course, in wet
seasons, it is sometimes necessary tc
cultivat a littl deeper than the aver
age rule, due to weeds and grass get
ing ahead. Shallow cultivation will
be of little benefit where too thick
growth of weeds and grass has been
allowed to grow. Ii you wish to cul.
tivate your corn deep, let this be Civ
en- at the first two workings. The
roots are then small therefore, deep
cultivation at this stage will do little
or no injury.
After the corn is twelve to eighteen
inches in height, the roots. Of the
plants extend and fill rapidly the
space between the rows land a large
portion of them are close to the sur
face or to soil. Too deep cultivation
at this period will tear off a larg.
number of these surface roots, which
is bound to injure the entire plant to
a. large degree. 1t is best to cultivate
from two and one-half to three inches
deep. Either the double or single
cultivator will do the work when
properly handled. Continue cultiva-
ton as long as possible. When the
corn is in full tassel and silking, cul-
tivation will do no injury but will be
Of great benefit.
Every day weed is allowed to
grow it takes that much more grow
ing strength or plant food from the
corn plant. Weeds also draw mois-
ture or water from the soil, the corn
plants are robbed Of just that amount
besides losing the plant food or fer
tility which the weed uses for it's own
growth.
So destroy the weeds as fast as
they come forth by shallow and fire.
quent cultivation as late as possible.
The Maryland Farm Bureau Feed