Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-09-07
From He NciC England Farmer.
INDIAN CORN

CUTTING OR TOPPING THE STALKS. 1t is a
well ascertained fact that the leaves perform
an important part in aiding the growth and in
maturing all our fruits and grains. They elab-
crate the sap and fit it for nourishing every
part Of the plant. This being admitted, the
Inference necessarily follows, that the leaves
should not be removed as long as the fruit re-
quircs more nourishment If the top is taken
from the stalk while the corn is yet immature,
nothing else can be expected TO result, than n
diminution of the crop. Those farmers who
are accustomed to cut the stalk while it is
green, may be losers by the operation
Various experiments have been made-all
of which, rs far as we know-go to prove that
where the process of cutting is omitted, the
crop is from 10 to 20 per cent greater, than
where the top is taken off, when the grain has
but Just begun to harden. Mr. Clark's account,
given in Vol. X. of the y. f.. Farmer, and 9th,
er accounts in subsequent years, all show as
great a difference as we have named. One
remark in those accounts deserves particular
notice. 1t is stated that, before harvesting,
there was no perccpnJic difference in the two
parcels of corn with which the trial was made;
and vet when tried in the half bushel and by
the scales, the result has been uniform in ia
vor of leaving the stalk unmutulated
Now We neither expect nor ask farmers to
depart entirely from their usual process, but
as il is easy for them TO leave two or four rows
through their cornticlds untouched, and then
To measure the product Of those rows at the
time ofharycstng, and thus confirm or reiutc
the correctness o! the opinion that IT injuries
the corn TO take oil the top-as th!s IS an easy
process, we request every grower OF this crop
e who NAV chance to read this article, TO make
{ the experiment. fit should be found that tho
2 usual process subjects Us TO a loss OF 7 or II
bushels ofcon per acre, as the published &C
counts teach that it does. then the question /,
! surely worth settling, If the loss be thus
. large, then every consideration of Intercs
calls upon our farmers to abandon their Ole
B. ways.
/ But il is said that the top stalks are woFil
much more as fodder, il cut while full OF sap
70 Thu, Is true: and the question 10 be settled y
d whether more is gained by the increased wort
h of the stoycr, than i lost by the diminution o
n the corn. E>permcnts-eNpcrment ia ma
d nv fields should be made for the purpose oide
e teminlng this point. We urge tins with NOR
n earncstuoss than we do most experiments be
2 cause here there Is scarcely the possibility
q loss which could be sensIbly felt by even th
.e poorest farmer.
"a The statement above referred TO, that n
DILIGENCE was perceived ~ Inc parcels q
corn before harvesting, shoLs the imPortanc
re Of avoiding all guess work ia this matter
ID We have been satisfied from other sources IN;
D. very .cw eyes can make any near approach
accuracy IN measuring the quantity OF cor
" upon an acre; or ia measuring the compar'
al i've yield Of two contiguous rows. lhei
4, should be accurate measurement.
CrrrlNG AZ TIRE Roor AND ST0oKINC. W
II. -. .-.nsf.rucA tr p fg~ wears mast
~ this process, and we prefer II 10 topping n
IL stalk. and leaving the corn Standing. w
have no doubt that the slower Is worth NOR
and We have no doubt that the corn IS swee
p er and heavier. The summer grains, whea