Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-03-13
SPRING CROPS.

DfhlNu OhOEO'
PorArors are crop that may be planted early
or at almost any time between the middle OF
April or the middle OF June, with a reasonable
prospect of q crop. Dry sandy soils are not as
good for potatoes as one containing more vegeta.
BILE matter, more moist, and consequently more
cool. The varieties the best for the table arc
rarely abundant bearers, the Pinkeye OF the
Mercer for example, though fair crops Of these
are sometimes grown. The Long BED, the Sar.
dna and now, the Rohan, are considered the
most productive, and Of course the best for gen
eral cultivation or for feeding. The Rohan
seems destined TO introduce new era in pota!oe
culture, and valuable as this root has proved,
shows that by originating new varieties, greater
excellence and greater productiveness may be
expected. Potatoes may be planted in rows or
drills; they may be planted VII VI" in sets, and
if the soil is OF the proper quality, and the after
| culture good, the crop rarely fails. Last year
farmer in Vermont turned over piece Of turf
land carefully, rolled it well and leveIed, and
then with stick made holes few inches in
| depth between every second lurrow slice, into
which potatoe set was placed and the holes
| filled up with mellow soil to the level Of the field.
The piece had no further labor put upon it, and
the crop was at the rate Of 400 bushels to the
acre. Thirty two loads Of manure to the acre
was placed on the turf before blowing, and turned
under, and the sets were placed two feet apart
in the rows. Where potatoes are planted on
clean sward land, some have recommended that
pumpkins should be planted with them, as usu,
ally a good crop Of pumpkins may be obtained
with little OIL no injury to the poatoe crop.
Cons is one Of the most important crops grown
in the United States, and every thing relating to
it demands unusual care and attention. The
selection OF seed, choice OF soil, preparation Of
land after culture Of the crop, are all things that
must be we'll looked TO or partial OF total failure
Of the crop may be expected. While the aver
age corn crops is not more than 30 or 40 bushels
per acre, multitudes Of instances are on reco rd
in which more than 100 bushels have been grown,
and few Of more than $50 bushels to the acre.
Last year in one countyin New Hampshire, no
less than three premiums were claimed for more
than 100 bushels to the acre. 1t is idle to plant
corn on land not naturally dry. or that has not
been made 50 by draining. There is no crop
grown that more delights in warm dry soil than
maize. and there is none that will resist rhe effect;
Of drourh longer. The soil too must be rich
A poor SOIL and good corn is incompatible. -
Corn is one OF the crops to which manure may
be applied the most adva ntageously, and if mixet
q
applying too much. If unfermented stable ma
nure is used in the hill, too much may be inuri
ous as instances have occurred in which TIT
vitality Of the seed has been destroyed or mate
; rally weakened from this cause. For use il
the hill, the manure of the hog pen or yard il
superior to any othef-and the drier the grount
the greater will be the effect Of applied manures
Corn is plant that requires an elevated tenn
perature from planting until ripening, and secC
corn will not rot at temperatures in which peas
potatoes, and spring grains would vegetate well
Corn should be planted as soon as the ground i
, sufficiently warm and dry, and not before, and
it is not in this condition by the middle Of May
a crop Of the ordinary varieties of corn need no
be expected, as in our northern latiudes the tim
required 10 bring it to perfection could barely b
found in our summers. There are few plant
cultivated, the goodness Of which is so much de
pending on after culture as corn. Whatever ma
be the variety. the state Of the ground or the eli
mate, corn will not give great yield, or prove
profitable, unless the strictest attention is paid It
this point. If allowed to remain snothered il
weeds, and the earth about the plants unslirred
t corn need not be expected. In all cases, we be
: ieve cutting up corn by the roots TO be the bes
method Of harvesting: and where this crop is t
: be followed by wheat, this course is indispensa
BILE. The proper time is when the eaIs are wei
glazed and before the stalks have become dry
Cut up and secured in this way, the corn is of tn
9 best qualify, and the whole OF the fodder, an in
portan. item, is saved for the winter.