The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-05-07
THE FARMER.
PREPARING SEED CORN.

Many methods Of preparing seed corn hav
been recommendedj some for the purpose G
promoting vegetation, some to increase tn
crop, and others to protect the seed from in
sects, birds, animals &c; and it is observed
that some preparations combine all these advan
tHges.
Soaking the seek few hours, or day, in
solution of salt petre, Gauber's is, or greer
copperas is considered a sure protection agains
the deptedators above named, and cases ar,
named in which these solutions particularly tina
of salt petre, have greatly promoted the growth
ofthe corn and made material difference ir
the crop. The quantity of nitre, salts, or cope
ras is about half pint for half bushel of corn
more may be used without injury.
Tar is excellent to prevent the depredations
of insects, birds, &C. upon seed corn, and so are
tar and oil together. Some farmers first soak
their corn in a solution of petre and then tar it
others soak it in water and then tar it, while
suppose it is best to tar the corn dry. We will
give several authorizes.
An "Old Farmer in the Mechanic and Far.
mer, says, turn hot water on the com and stir il
that the seed may get warm, then drain off the
waetr and add heaping table spoonful Of tar to
60 over the whole. Then add dry ashes, lime,
or plaster, and stir it among tho corn that it
may not stick to the fingers in dropping.
"The advantage in this process is, that no
pin ,cire ,oorn,s willniure in the ground; no
grub ,oornss will eat off the shoots after it comes
up, no crows or blackbirds will pull it up, after
it come up; 1t also preserves the seed from rot
ting, as it sometimes does, if cold wet spell of
weather follows after planting. If the seed is
rood 1t Will come up when tne e'~---
enough. The above facts have proved by ma
NV wears. experiment. 1t is my opinion, that if
ssed wheat was tarred in the same manner, it
vvopld preserve it from the depredations OF the
Hessian fly, and from smut, though have not
rested them as have Indian corn.
The Genessee Farmer says, "to prevent corn
being touched by crows, stir the seed with
sufficient quantity of heated tar, than roll 1t IN
plaster, lime or ashes"
The Hampshire Gazette, after showing the
;mnortance of selecting good seed, makes the
following remarks on preparing it.
we have noticed an article which IS going
the rounds Of the papers, recommending tnat
corn be soaked before tarring it to prevent us
destruction by the crows; another statement has
also appeared that it will come up without it is
soaked before tarring. A farmer informs us that
twenty years experience has convinced him. that
soaking is at least unnecessary, and that the corn
will come up we'll without. He has always
planted it without soaking, and the result has
been uniformly good; it has has always come
well. and the tar has been a perfect protection
against the crows-His method of preparing is
as follows: for peck of corn take about a gill
Of tar. The tar is to be heated till perfectly
melted poured into the corn and STIRRED brskly
for about one or two minutes, by which
every kernal, if we'll stirred will have received
thin coating of tar. Then put in about quart
of plaster of Paris stir it well, and the corn will
separate and plant conveniently as it no tar
had been used. The corn and the vessel in
which il is mixed; must be eutrely free from
dust. to insure to the corn an even coating OF
tar. Corn thus prepared, may be kept without
in;urv. which give it a decided advantage over
that which has been soaked Soaked corn; if per-
rnitted to dry in anysdegree, looses it's vitality q
though it may come, it will produce slckiy
plant.-Hence the danger of planting soaked
corn at all times, and more especially when the
ground is warm and dry I'll. 20.
We copy the following from the Albany Cul
tivator.
Edmond Wells, of Harmony, prepares his
seed corn as follows: for half bushel of seed
he dissolves nitre, or salt petre in water, till il
will bear an egg; makes the water about blood
warm, and sleeps his seed in it twelve hours
He then takes it from the tub, and pours upon
tia mixture ofthree gills of tar, one gill of oil
balfa pound OF powderIand boiled water enough
to make it of proper consistence for glazing
the corn, rolls the seed in plaster, and plants
taking care to keep the grain moist.-'it comes
I'D rank, says Mr. p, sis larger at one week ole
than dry planted at two, and lam confident
have not lost single hill the two past seasons
The smell is so disagreeable when prepared a
above, that neither crows, birds, squirrels, fel'