Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-04-19
A G. RIG u L T u r A L.

ranks nrst IN the list OF grain crops, ana
from its American origin and habits, is
adapted TO any part of this country-its
character varying with the soil and eli
mate from the hardy, diminntive species
of the North, to the large and fully de-
veloped varieties of the West and South.
From its Importance as an article of food
for man and beast, il has ever been, and
still continues to be a special object of
cultivation. No farm is considered com
plete without liberal area of corn land,
and the fields devoted to this crop are the
pride and JOY of the farmer, to say moth
ing of the golden harvest and well filed
grainery.
This grain delights in warm, dry
soil, and with liberal supply of manure
and proper cultivation, will give a good
return. II can be raised either on green
sward or stubble ground. A good sys-
TEN of rotation is to plant on the sward,
and seed the following year with wheat
or oats, as special object should be to
have the land in as good condition as
possible when laid down TO grass. In
the cultivation of this crop, much depends
on the preparation of the ground. If
this is smoothly and evenly ploughed
and thoroughly narrowed, the labor of
tiling is greatly diminished.
The depth of ploughing.should be reg
ulated according to the nature Of the soil.
Light and sandy lands should be plough
ed deeper than those that are more COM
pact but every farmer can easily ascer-
tain the depth at which he obtains the
best crops. Whether manure should be
turned under or spread ON the top is a
question, but most farmers, think, con-
alder the top dressing thoroughly mixed
WIN '"S noiiaSo SUI, as tue pest. n
small quantity of well-rotted manure
placed in each hill, gives the crop a good
start, and is generally practised. Corn
should not be planted too thick. A good
crop Of ears is preferable to larger one
of stalks without this important addition.
The distance, of course will vary with
the size Of variety planted
In the selection of seed, special refer
ence should be bad in this latitude, TO the
earliness of the variety otherwise there
Is liability to much damage ere the
crop is out of the way of autumnal frosts.
There is no necessity for changing the
seed of corn as often as that of wheat,
AS by proper care in selecting, a vari-
ely may be very much improved.
II field is so planted as to admit of
the cultivator's passing between the hills,
AS well as between the rows, much labor
with the hoe will be saved. The after
cultivation of the crop is an important
consideration, and should not be limited
to certain number of times, but adapt
ed to the nature of the soil. This should
be kept loose and porous, and not allow
ed TO become compact, or fruitful bed
for weeds and grasses.
A top-dressing of some fertilizer, such
as plaster or ashes, applied to the hill, is
beneficial 10 the plants ia the early stage
of their growth, and the latter may act
as preventative to the rayages of the
wire-worm.
The cut-worm is larger enemy, and
the surest way TO stop their depredations,
Is TO dig them out of the hill and kill
them.
There are several methods practiced
in harvesting corn, bu; the one seemingly
best, adapted to this part of the country,
as the stalks are of considerable value
as feed for cattle, is TO cut the crop near
the ground soon after the grain becomes
glazed, lying in small bundles and shock.
ing carefully in the field, when it will
not hurt for long time, and can be
husked at leisure.
This grain usually yields from twenty
five to seventy-fve, aud sometimes a
hundred bushels to the mere; but sixty
may be considered a fair return.
Formerly, corn was made the medium
of exchange with the merchants, mechan.
les, &c., but farmers have found out that
IT pays better TO feed it to their stock. and
look for their return in The enhanced
products and value of the same. which is
seldom found to be below good market
price. FARMER.
81. Ai6ans Messenger.
VALUABLE RECIPES.