Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-05-04
CopyV Mfr. Baden's Letter1
NEAR NorrINGHAM,

Sir: I received yours of the o1tb ,l;,;n
inquiry respecting the "MaryIanj Corn y
"hich you understood that had raised
hnFe The pleasure Ia saw, that have brouoh,
'nls corn to high state Of perfection, by
carefully selecting the best seed in the field
lot long course of years, having especial
reference 10 those stalks which produce the
most ears-When the corn was husked. /
'hen made re- selection, taking only that
"hich appeared sound and fully ripe. having
rega:d 10 the deepest and best color, as w eli
as 10 me size OF the cob. Ia the spring, he
'ofe smelling the corn, / examined il again.
, anu se'ec'ed the best in all respects. In shel
ling the corn | omitted 10 take the irregular
Kernels at both the large and small ends
have carefully followed this mode of select
ing seed corn for twenty-five or twenty three
years, and still continue 10 do So
Nhen L hrst commenced, il was with
common Kind OF corn, for there was none o.
'her IN TINS part Of the country. IL any ether
person undertook the same experiment did
not hear OF il; ] do not believe Others ever
exercised The patience 10 bring the expert.
mem 20 The present state of perfection. Al
nrs'' was troubled 10 find stake with even
Ws sooa ears on them, perhaps one good eur
anu one small one, or enc good ear and sea
',. IL was several years before could
II
ior's; however, at length the quality and
4uAn'ity began 10 improve, and tie improve.
men. was ihen very rapid. At present 1 do
nol PreteHd TO lay up any seed without il
SfS' efs' ST. nase seen ssSIRs uuf,ryuwreDru,
ears. One OF my neighbors informed me
lha' he had single stalk, with ten perfect
ears on IT, and that he intended 10 send the
same 10 the Museum at Baltimore.
In addition TO the number of ears. and. of
course, The great increase OF the quantity un-
shensd, Il may be mentioned, that il yields
'uGh more Than the common -3rn when
sheiied. Some gentlemen, in whom have
iull confidence, informed me thew shelied a
barrel ten bushels OF ears) of my kind Of
corn, which measured little more than six
bushels. The common kind of corn will
measure about five bushels only. | believe
1 raised double, or nearly SO 10 what could
with any other corn, | have ever seen.
generally plant the corn about the first of
May, and place the hills FIVE feet apart each
way, aud have two stalks in o hill. / can
supply you with all the seed you may need
ana suppose have now in my corn house
my anu perhaps more, stalks, with The corn
on Them, as IL grew in the field; and none
win Iese than four and some with six and
seven ears on them. / will with pleasure
send you some of these stalks, and also some
seea corn, u Can get an opportunity
Early lastspring, let George Law ESQ
ef Baltimore city, have some of this aeed
corn: he sent it TO his friend in Illinois. with
instructions bow to manage it, A few weeks
SINCE he informed me that the increase was
iZo bushels on an acre that there was no
corn ~ Illinois like il; and that it produced
more fodder than any other kind have
supplied many friends with seed corn. bu,
some have planted with other corn, and will
| fear, find il degenerate.
have lately been inquired OF, If this corn
was no later than other kinds? I, is rather
earlier certainly NOT later. Corn plaDIed
In moist or wet soils, w i'll not rjpen so ouick
as That "hIch is planted on dry soil. In the
former, there will be found more dsmuness
IN The cob, although the kernel NAV appear
eaqualIy ripe in both. In the two last Years
Tie wei seasons have injured much corn thai
was too early 'loited' or housed.
believe have answered most of vour in
quirles.-l hope have not exageera,ed-y
nave no motive for doing so. raise bu, vi.
lie corn TO sell as tobacco is uay PRINCIPAL
crop. should fail to send goIne seed this
spring, will next summer, gather some
Stalks with the corn, fodder and ,ass!es. md
all as they grow, and send 80 you that YOU
may judge for yourself Of the superiority OF
this over the common kiad of corn. Yours.
&c.
THOMAS n. BADEN.
Hon. HENRY =, ELLSWORTH,
Com. of Patents, Washington City.