74Q A Russian Method of Corn Cultivation, [dec, 



A method of growing corn has recently been advocated in 

 Russia which, although it is not likely to be suitable in culti- 

 vating large areas in this country, 



A Russian Method might prove useful in growing corn for 

 of Corn Cultivation, seed or other special purposes. It has 

 also been suggested that it might be 

 adopted by small holders, as it would enable them to grow a 

 heavier and better crop on a small area. 



The method, which, broadly speaking, depends on the 

 careful cultivation of each individual plant, is not new, as it 

 has often been proposed in the past in this country, and con- 

 stitutes the ordinary practice in China at the present day. 

 The large amount of labour required makes it inapplicable for 

 ordinary corn growing except in countries where labour is 

 very cheap and very plentiful. 



The author of the system (M. Demtschinsky) states that 

 farming in Russia is giving more and more unsatisfactory 

 results, and in consequence famines, formerly of rare occur- 

 rence, have become common. The number of live-stock in 

 the country is not enough to provide sufficient manure, while 

 the introduction of a rotation of crops apparently presents 

 great difficulties, so that it is necessary to find some other 

 means of increasing the low average yield of corn. 



For this purpose he suggests the practice of earthing-up, 

 or alternatively that of deep-setting or transplanting — the 

 object in any case being to develop root-action and increase 

 the tillering power, so that a greater return is obtained. 



In the case of earthing-up, the land would be prepared in 

 the usual way, and the sowing done by a hand or horse drill, 

 a little artificial manure being applied, if possible, at the same 

 time. The drill should be arranged so as to sow three rows 

 3i~ii inches apart, leaving a distance of ioJ— 14 inches 

 between each third row to give room for working. The 

 greater distance is necessary when a horse hoe is to be em- 

 ployed. 



About a month after sowing, when the young plant has 

 appeared and begins to send out shoots, the first earthing-up 

 should be done. This stage is a critical one in the life of the 

 plant, and by heaping up the earth round it the plant is 

 protected from drought, frost, and other unfavourable influ- 



