Maize-Growing Points

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 December 1915, Page 3

Maize-Growing Points

G. <1q 6. JJAYLIS, n\ JOURNAL Ol , ' AGRICULTURE. Very few of the many dairy-farmers who grow a little maize ror cow feed' possess a proper maize-drill. Most 01 the small-corn varieties of maize can be sowu through the ordinary grain drill without much, ii any, damage to the 6eed. Large-corned varieties, however, like Hickory King, often get broken in these drills, and the germination is much reduced thereby. Thoee whoso land is clean and firee from weeds, but who desire to intercultivato tJioir crops and at the same time to grow as heavy e crop as possible without crowding the plants, may do so by drilling two rows Tin, apart, and then leaving an interval of 28in. between this pair and the next pair of rows. Two manure-tubes can easily be put in one coultre in most makes of drills when heavier manuring is desirable. Warm sheltered spots with reflected heat from surrounding hills are ideal Bpote tor growing tall heavy crops, although in districts subject to unseasonable frosts low-lying Hats along streambeds should be avoided. Wherever possible set the rowe across the direction of the prevailing wind, end not with it. • A breadth of peas sown round! the outside of the maize-plant-ation forms a good shelter, especially ii the peas he allowed to twino blicm selves up the outer row of maize. Thus the outer rows shelter the inner ones, arid much of the wind is kept off the surface of the soil, thereby preventing unduo evaporation.

Much weed-growth can be kept from between the plants by using tie moulder, and slightly earthing np for the second cultivation instead of horsehoeiug. The hold of the plants in the ground is also thereby strengthened, and the anchor-roots thrown out of tho maize secure a better grip.