Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-04-28
H FARMER.
HINTS NsREGARD TO THE CORN
CROP.

been sufficien, 10 admonish Us, that without
due precauiion, our crops Of Indian corn
will not pay for the labor bestowed on the
culture and yet, that where due attention
has been paid TO soil, manure. seed and bar
vesting, the return has been %bounuful. not
withsianding bad seasons. Having been
uniformly successful in the culture Of this
crop. we feel justified in repeating some
leading directions for its management.
SoIL-Ii is in vain to attempt to raise In
dian corn. in this latitude, in seasons like
the two last, upon stiff clays. or upon thin
soils Of a looser quality reposing upon a
clay or hardpan subsoil, or without manuT-
ing for the crop for although the plants
will grow. the produce will not repay the ex
pense OF culture. unless they produce a good
crop; and it costs but liiile more 10 take
care Of a good than a poor crop. The first
are not adapted to the crop al any season
On thin soils, having a level surface. the
rains settle and remain upon the subsoll.
where the roots penetrate for food, and cause
a cool temperature in the early part Of the
season. when the plants stand most in need
Of warmth. II soils Of either Of the above
Kinds ale employed, the land should be
thrown into ridges, ten or twelve feet broad,
in the direction Of the slope Of the field
But sandy and gravelly lands and light
loans. are decidedly the best for corn. The
soil must be dry.
Observation-Disclosures stable and ward
manure is decidedly preferable, if spread
broadcast, as it always should be, and thor
oughly buried with the plough. Ii keeps
the soil open. permeable TO heat, air and
moisture, the agents Of neutrItion il i'm
parts warmth to the soil while undergoing
the process Of fermentation. and 1t affords
the bes. food for the crop. This We know
is downright heresy to some; but all we ask
OF these skepiics is. that they will make the
experiment, even on half an acre, and cred
il their own senses 10 the result
VARIETY.-The twelve rowed corn. call
ed the Duuon corn. is the earliest for field
culture, that we know OF, and we think it
the best We have raised it sixteen wears,
and the crop has never been injured by the
early frosts.
PREPARATION OF SEED.-Our practice is
TO turn upon the seed the evening before
planting, water nearly in a boiling state
This thoroughly satuiaies the seed. induces
an incipient termination. and causes the
corn TO sproui quick. The next morning
we take half a pint Of tar for half a bushel
OF seed, put into an iron vessel with water
and heat it till the tar is dissolved, and the
liquid becomes tar water. IL is then turned
pn the seed and well stirred. 1t adheres
toSthe grain and gives it a Thin transparent
coating. The tar serves a double purpose
m nravauto an axra<e of nnntsfnra os.rar,
and rotting the seed, If the weather or soil
sSaeold and wet. and il preserves il from the
dsPsedations Of birds sc. which prey upon
IT, After the seed is taken from the steep
where we ne<er leave il more than fifteen
hours. as much .yround gypsum is mixed
with it as viii adhere to the kernels. The
gypsum prevents the kernels adhering 10
each other, and favors the after growth OF
the crop. Ashes OF lime may be substituted
for gypsum. The seed should be planted
while it is moist, and Immediately covered.
1t should not long be exposed to the sun.
DISTANCE IN PLASTISe.-This mus, de-
pend upon the variety cultivated, and the
richness of the soil. The Dution is of
dwarf growth, and upon well MANFRED land
may be planted at three feet each way, or
three by two and a half. Southern corn,
and some old varieties in the north, grow
taller and require more room. AS a certain
quantum of food is required to bring each
stock to maturity, poorly manured ground
cannot feed SO many stocks as that which is
highly manured.
QUANTITY OF SEED AND COVERING
From using TOO little seed, and a reckless.
ness in covering it, many corn fields are de.
fcient one half Of what ought to grow upon
them. We drop six 10 eight kernels in a
hill, and take special care to nave il covered
only with fine mould. II dung. sods, sticks
or stones are placed upon the bill, il partial
ly or wholly prevents the coming. If bu-
ried too deep. the seed may rot before the
soil is warm enough to induce termination
if too shallow, it may lack moisture. These
are little matters, though they have a great
influence upon the profits of the crop. The
extra expense that would be incurred to do
these things perfect, might be four quarts of
seed and one days labor to the acre-and
the advantages would often be the doubling
OF the crop Two inches is a sufficient cover
ing, If the hill is trodden upon as it should
be. by the planter, to compress the earth and
preserve its moisture.
AFTER CULTURE.-In this the plough
should not be used if the corn harrow and
cultivator can be had, and if used should
not be suffered 10 penetrate the soil more
than two or three inches. The plough
tears the roots, turns up and wastes the ma
nure, and increases the injuries of draught
The main obiac, - 10 a,xna,o