656 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Remember that pasture grass in June has more water in it than en- 

 silage. Plant a variety of corn that will perfect the kernels and ear well. 

 You can double the supply of fodder by adopting this system, and more 

 fodder means more milk and more milk more cash. 



CORN GROUND. 



A. C. Garner, before Ida County Farmers' Institute. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I feel a little timid in regard 

 to introducing this question. Now regarding the listing of corn, I haven't 

 much to say about that. To those who think of adopting this, will say that 

 my experience has not been very good in this line — it seems to me unprofit- 

 able. It is certainly the right thing in a clay soil, where the soil for corn 

 is not very good. Corn demands large cultivation. There never was a 

 time in the history of corn raisers when there were so many inducements 

 for corn cultivation. Among those most important is the high price of 

 corn, and the growing demand of corn. Then we should cultivate to the 

 best of our ability, that the land would produce as much as possible, con- 

 sidering its high price. Fifteen years ago, our intention was not so much 

 as to how much corn we could produce on an acre, but the number of acres 

 we could cover. Then we had plenty of land. Today we have not the land, 

 and it is to our interest to make the best out of the fewest acres. 



There are two ways to do this — fertilization and cultivation. Yet there 

 are certain conditions of the soil when fertilization is not successful, when 

 the best fertilization has produced the least corn. The important question 

 is how to cultivate and fertilize so we can succeed in a dry season with soil 

 that is very susceptible to cultivation. We must prepare our soil today to 

 meet the requirements of what we plant. I speak of our soil of being sus- 

 ceptible. 



There are two kinds of corn which may be cultivated. One kind pro- 

 duces a tall, slim plant. The other is a strong stock. The former grows 

 to be strong after a time. 



To cultivate thoroughly we must cultivate in such a manner as to 

 have the soil retain its moisture. We have soil in which the capillary 

 process is profitable. Furthermore, to promote the production of corn, it 

 is a good idea to pulverize the soil to preserve the moisture. Some farm- 

 ers cultivate their land with a view to preserve the moisture at the top 

 and others a great deal deeper. 



I would advise that the land be prepared before the corn is even 

 planted. In this, cultivate to preserve the moisture. Some farmers culti- 

 vate their lands with a view to preserve the moisture from the top. 1 

 would advise that the land be prepared before the corn is even planted. 

 In this cultivate to preserve the moisture. A wet season doesn't make 

 much difference. 



