Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-22
JONATHAN.
From the Country Gentleman.
MATURING IN THE HILL FOR
CORN.

The question of applying the usual do
nestle or barn manures 10 corn, in the
hill at planting,or over the whole surface
before that time, is one which we have
norseen particularly discussed in our ag-
ricultural journals, though often mention
ed as practieed, OFFICE versa, in accounts
of the culture of this grain. From obser-
walton on this point, we conclude 1t more
common in New Hampshire than else
where, where indeed it was learned from
the original corn-growers. We have
heretofore, from results in our own expe
rience, recommended manuring in the bill,
in addition to good dressing over the
whole field, as productive of an essential
Improvement in the erop-giving an ear
lier and stronger start, which advance
it keeps through the whole period of
growth.
Some experiments in corn-growing,
comparing hill manuring with It's applica-
ton over the whole surface, are given by
Mr.. Baker of Oak Hill, in recent ~
&. Farmer; and thinking it will inter-
est, we condense the same for our read
ers. Five plots of an acre each were
planted the first of May. On the first,
twenty loads oflong manure were spread
and plowed under eight inches deep. On
the second, ten loads of fine barn-yard
manure were spread on the surface after
blowing, and thoroughly narrowed before
marking. The third acre was MANFRED
in the hills-two quarts Of very fine sta
bic manure to each. The fourth received
in the hill one quart of compost-two
parts muck, two parts long manure, and
part each of lime and ashes. The fifth
acre, for the purpose of comparison, re-
ceived no manure. The kind of corn
planted was the yellow smut or red blaze,
the kernel of which is large and fat.and
the ear good size. Making no account
of the soft corn, it produced as follows /:
No. /. 50 bushels of ears; No. 2, 80
bushels; No. 3, % bushels; No. 4. %
bushels; No. ), 68 bushels. From the
results, he concludes that for present pro-
| fit, m anuring in the Hill is the best, and
decomposed barn manure narrowed in
produces more effect than green dung
! plowed under-at least on the first crop.
Most commercial manures, as guanos,
superphospbates, proudrette, ETC.. have
been applied in the hill exclusively, so
we have no means Of comparison of the
same broadcast. OF fertilizers of do
nestle production, hen manure has more
generally been applied in the hill for
corn than any other material. 1t is plen-
ttul, of a concentrated character, and
readily prepared and applied, while there
can be no question as to the profit arts
ing from its judicious use. As limited be-
fore, this manure, and others of ike
character. give the young shoot an early
and vigorous start, and enable it the
sooner to strengthen itself, BY extending
its roots TO more distant stores of food.
The effect of manuring in the hill ex.
clusively would seem to be less calcula,
ted to benefit the next crop than if ap.
piled over the whole ground, though the
active or thoroughly decomposed charae.
ter of the fertilizers thus used would
leave but little benefit to be expected the
second year. But we leave the question
with our readers, simply remarking that
while we would commend plentiful broad.
cast manuring in all cases, we would also
advise the application of some concentra.
ted fertilizer in the hill believing it vii
in all cases prove profitable by forward
ing and increasing the crop. Indian
corn cannot well be surfeited by higf
teeding-and above most grains, uses anG
repays plentiful supply.