American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-04-23
Pumpkins AMONG Corn.

In the Farmer February 6, in answer to
certain queries Of a correspondent, you eX.
press some doubt whether ''any gain Is made
by the introduction of the pumpkin into the
ccornlield. This question belongs to class
III practical farming which can newer be
settled By theory. Careful experiments made
under different and adverse circumstances,
san alone settle them. And it is to these
experiments that every Intelligent furmer
ought to contribute some thing for the gener.
al good. .'
The question Of utility in cultiva,ins corn
in the same field with pumpkins, is no, BY
any means raised for the frsl time. Ii IS
Older 10 my certain knowledge, than the
missouri compromise, 'and may date
back, for aught | know TO the first hill of
corn and the fist pumpkin. AS general
rule am opposed TO mixed crops; vet there
are exceptions TO all rules in farming. and
think this matter of corn and pumpkins J..
one OF them. would not knowingly do
anything to diSpaTage the value OF the corn
crop for hold 1t TO be by far the most valu
able grain crop OF New England, and indie ed
oil any other country whose climate is adapt
ca 10 II, and whose soil will not produce
wheat as a staple.
| recollect very well that my grandfather
had all the old fashioned prejudice in favor
"i raising pumpkins and would plant them
among com, potatoes, and even beans, il
the soil was rich enough TO hold out any
prospect Of a crop. My father, on the other
hand, doubted the value of pumpkins, ami
was especially opposed TO anything tina,
could, by possibly ,detract from the p oiuct
oil his corniield. With these opposing views
upon the same farm, will perceive at once
that there was necessity for trying an ex.
pertinent; Tor "a house divided against il.
sell could not stand forty years ago any
better than it can now. Accordingly. in the
year 1918, think 1t was, the corniield was
equally divided by two or three rows Of
potatoes through the centre, and one half
planted to corn 1ciM pumpkins, and the
O!her 7cithoW. There was no pcrceptib,e
difference in the growth OF the corn, and
when the field was harvested, there was a
difference Of three bushels in the ouau,iiy
on part, although tho whole field embraced
an area OF Tour or five acres. Eleven irup
loads OF handsome pumpkins were consider
ed by my grandfather as a weight OF evil
dence IN favor of the theory, (or in other
"ords,h'S SIDE OF the cornfeld.l which could
not be well resisted. | believe my fpthcr
ever alter mat, planted pumpkins with his
corn.
ltseems TO me reasonable that plan,
so well adapted TO the shade as The pnmp.
KIN. and one which receives so large a share
OF IT'S nuirIment from the atmosphere, can
be planted with corn with injury TO the
letter, and without much dctriInent TO the
soil Indeed, it is held by some intelligent
farmers that the large leaves Of the plilnp.
KIN, by shading the ground and thus prevent.
ing the sun from dIsIo!iug the varions gases
which decompose and form the soluble ma,
ter III the soil, to be taken as food for the
the growth Of plants, arc direct benefit to
the land, to say nothing OF the value of the
pumpkin crop. 1t Is we'll settled, believe,
that pumpkins fed out irIhom the seeds. IN
moderate quantities., TO mich COWS. imnart
rich flavor TO the milk It is also conceded
that they arc very valuable in lut,ening
beef. Let them not be given up, without
some tangible evidence Of their inutiiry.--
Cor. Of The Ne10 Engiaad Farmer.