Corn Growers' Association. 323 



Any one who will test it on a plot, uniform in fertility and 

 moisture, will find by subduing the weeds and grass alone with the 

 hoe and not root-pruning, even slightly, that the stalks will run up 

 very high, will be longer in joint, narrower in leaf, ear higher set on 

 stalk in proportion, and produce much stalk and little ear. On other 

 parts of the plot let them treat it respectively, as follows : In addi- 

 tion to subduing weeds and preserving much otherwise; one cul- 

 tivation, two cultivations, three cultivations, four cultivations. Let 

 none of the cultivations be deep enough to make root pruning very 

 severe, and note the results. I have described the first. 



The fifth condition will give a large ear and small stalk by 

 height and weight, although the stalk will be heavy at the base, 

 ear well set, broad leaf. The fourth condition will give large ear, 

 larger stalk, long and medium broad leafage. The third and second 

 conditions give results- plainly a compromise between the extremes 

 according to the degree of their root pruning, from which I deduct 

 and practice the following plan : 



I use a six-shovel cultivator, place bull tongues next the row 

 the first time, cultivate very young, set the bull tongues quite deep 

 and the other shovels shallow. Cultivate close. The second time 

 use the shovels all round, set shallow next the row and avoid ap- 

 proaching the plant too closely. This does some root pruning, but 

 is not severe, as also do the third and fourth cultivations. 



The slight root pruning at second, third and fourth cultivations 

 appear to slightly check the plant food in the soil into fodder or 

 stalk at a time that, owing to the age of the com plant, it cannot 

 convert it into the fruit or ear. 



Apparently, if checked as mentioned, It is in immediate re- 

 serve and is utilized by the plant in the production of tne ear im- 

 mediately following, and also serves another purpose in shorten- 

 ing the stalk and thus admitting of a thicker planting. I accom- 

 plish, as nearly as possible, level cultivation until the last or fourth, 

 when I place a pair of warped shovels next the row, thus throwing a 

 very narrow little ridge in the row to encourage the brace-roots in 

 hurrying out their net work of little rootlets to assist in accumulat- 

 ing soil of fertility at the time when it is utilized in the production 

 of a large healthy shoot and the proper development thereof. 



SEED PLOT. 



As in years gone by, I still find it profitable to cut down the 

 occasional barren stalk, although I have the tendency pretty well 

 bred out. Extra thick planting on a rich soil will produce many 



