The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-09-14
AGRICULTURAL.
INDIAN CORN-CUTTING OR TOPPING
THE STALKS.

1t is well ascertained fact that leaves per.
form an important part in aiding the growth
and in maturing all our fruits and grains.-
They elaborate the sap and fit it for nourishIng
every part of the plant. This being admit
ted, the inference necessarily follows, that the
leaves should not be removed as long as the
fruit requires more nourishmcnt. If the top
is taken from the stalk while the corn is yet
immature, nothing else can be expected to re-
suit, than diminution of the crop. Those
farmers who are accustomed to cut the stalk
while it is green, may be losers by the opera
ton.
Various experiments have been made-all
of which, as 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 account
given in Vol. X. of this paper, and other ac-
counts in subsequent years all show as great
a difference as we have named. One remark
in these accounts deserves particular notice.
1t is stated that, before harvesting, there was
no percePtible difference in the two parcels of
corn with which the trial was made; and yet
when tried in the haf-bushel and by the scales,
the result has been uniform in favor of leaving
the stalk unmutiated.
Now we neither expect nor ask farmers to
depart entirely from their usual process, but as
it is easy for them to leave two or four rows
through their cornfield untouched, and then to
measure the product of those rows, and also
of an equal number of contiguous rows at the
time of harvesting, and thus confirm our refute
the correctness of the opinion that it Injuries
the corn to take off the top-as this is an easy
process, we request every grower of this crop,
who NAV chance to read this article to make the
experiment. If it shall be found that the usu-
Al process subjects us to loss of I to 10 BUSH
els of corn per acre, as the published accounts
teach that it does, then the question is surely
worth settling. If the loss be thus large, then
every consideration of interest, calls upon our
farmers 10 abandon their old ways.
But it will be said that the top stalks are
worth much more as fodder, if cut while full
of sap. This is true; and the question TO be
settled is, whether more is gained by the in.
creased worth of the stover, than is lost
by the elimination of the corn. Experiment:
Experiments in many fields should be made
for the purpose of determining this point. We
urge this with more earnestness than we dc
most experiments; because here there is scare
" the possibility of loss which could be sen
sibly felt by even the poorest farmer.
The statement above referred to, that NJ
difference was perceived in the parcels of corr
before harvesting, shows the importance of a
voiding all guess work in this matter. W.
have been satisfied from other sources tina
very few eyes can make any near approach
to accuracy in measuring the quantity of corl
upon an acre or in measuring the comparative
yield oftwo contiguous rows. There should b.
accurate measurement.