CORN. 317 



followed, which consist of throwing the soil away from the plants for a time to admit the 

 rays of the sun to the roots, and further says: 



&quot;This mode is just the reverse of hilling, and if performed to any depth would be as 

 likely to cause injury by uncovering or breaking the roots, as burying them unnaturally deep 

 in high hilling would occasion harm. Both modes are founded on the supposition of short 

 roots, and both deprive the plants of the benefit of the broad, even, mellow bed of earth for 

 the roots to extend in at all distances from the plants, where there is little or no hilling.&quot; 



Shallow culture, is, therefore, to be preferred for corn, stirring the soil only on the surface, 

 but very frequently. This is of the greatest importance to the crop in dry weather, and after 

 rains, when the surface has become hardened and dry. Some farmers go over the field with 

 the harrow before the corn makes its appearance from the ground, in order to destroy the 

 young weeds when in the germ and before they have taken hold of the soil ; this may be 

 well if the field has been plowed a week or two before planting, and has the effect of cleaning 

 the soil of weeds. After the corn is well up and has taken root, it should be cultivated fre 

 quently for the purpose of checking the weeds and promoting the growth of the crop. If it 

 could be cultivated as often as once a week until after it has tasseled out, it would be of great 

 benefit to the crop. The old-time custom of hand-hoeing, still practiced to a considerable extent 

 in some sections, especially New England, is unprofitable and expensive, and should be super 

 seded by the use of the horse-hoe or cultivator, which will be of more effectual benefit to the 

 crop, with less labor, time, and expense. There are various kinds of these implements: The 

 Robins Cultivator, manufactured by Luther & Sumner, Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an excel 

 lent implement. Also the Hilling Cultivator, made by the New York Plow Company, New 

 York City; the Planet Jr. Horse-Hoe, by Joseph Breck & Sons, Boston, Mass , and the Deere 

 Spring Cultivator, Deere & Co., Moline, Illinois, all of which are valuable in the cultivation 

 of corn and other farm crops that require shallow cultivation. Corn requires a large amount 

 of heat, and frequent showers; still, it will endure quite an extended drouth with less injury 

 than most crops. Cold and heavy rains are injurious in the early stages of its growth. The 

 necessity of having good, prolific seed for the corn crop, a soil highly enriched and thoroughly 

 prepared, absence of weeds among the plants, with frequent and careful cultivation, are 

 important items in this department of agriculture that are being more fully appreciated and 

 observed by the most successful farmers of the present time than formerly, and which, when 

 observed by farmers generally, will in a few years result in an astonishing increase in the pro 

 duction of this crop. The old custom of &quot;topping&quot; the corn, which consisted of cutting off 

 the tassel and leaf -growth above the ear, is now nearly obsolete, it having been ascertained 

 that a valuable amount of nutriment is evaporated by the atmosphere and lost by this means, 

 while the grain is not benefited by the process, which is a laborious and expensive one; but 

 if the plants are cut at the roots before 

 the grain is fully ripened, the sap remain 

 ing in the stalks will continue for a time 

 to nourish the grain, and, to a certain 

 extent, carry on the ripening process. 

 The culture of corn for soiling and en 

 silage will be considered in another 

 department of this work. 



Harvesting. This should be done 

 before frost makes its appearance, as the 

 grain and fodder will both be seriously 

 injured from exposure to it, if standing. 



In New England, early frosts are trouble- UEIE STALK-CUTTEK. 



some, and generally necessitate securing the crop as soon as it is ready, which is when the 



