The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-05-25
FarMGers' Column.
Speed the E'iOlc."
A Good Corn Farm.

The corn crop of Mr. James Dickey, of
Washington county, Pa, grown in 1879,
and reported at 16G bushels per acre. if
correctly reported exceeds that of Mr..
John w. Murray, of Carroll county, grown
the same year, which was 1921 bushels per
acre. In Mr.. Murray's case, the land and
the corn were both accurately measured
by sworn measurer. In MIR. Dickey's
case, the crop was estimated by taking n
shock here and there in different parts of
the field and allowing two bushels Of ears
for one of shelled corn. The estimate NAV
have been correct, or it may not. In de-
termining matter of so much Importance
perfect accuracy should have fixed the
result; nothing should have been left to
estimate. Under these circumstances we
are not prepared to admit that the crop of
Mr.. Dickey exceeded that of Mr.. Murray.
The one was accurately measured, the
other was only estimated We give, how
ever, from the Country Gentleman, the fol,
lowing in relation to it.-FdS. Democratic
1dgOcate.
Having business in Washington, Pa.
last week, and being within 1G miles of
the farm which produced the famous corn
crop of 1878, report Of which went the
rounds of the press the following year,
resolved to devote day to visiting the
farm of James Dickey. | took the cars
at Washington, and left them at West
Alexander, a village 16 miles distant, and
about the same distance from Wheeling W.
Va.
narrow ravine, with sloping hills on
each side, divided by the road and brook
might describe one contour of Mr. Dickey's
farm. A two-story red brick house, with
back porch facing the hillside, a barn
further back on the side, and a cool spring
and milk house on the other, described
the out-buildings. The sheep barns are
situated IN their respective fields. / met
Mr.. Dickey on his horse returning from
feeding sheep. He is large heavy-set man
6S years of age; was born in Ireland, but
came here when child. His great crop
of 1878 was grown on the top of another
hill across the road from the house. His
crop of last year on the side ofanother hill
was badly lodged by the winds of June,
but still gave large yield. He follows
corn with oats, then wheat and seed, and
continues that rotation year after wear.
He has six hundred acres, and turns sod
field every year for corn. He keeps q
'iiOuoaho niSiiio SheSpi he IecclNeCt laSI
year So 900 for wool and sheep, and $500
for hogs. His two sons and one extra
hand, comprise the labor force. He stated
to me that there was no question as to the
actual yield of the field ofcorn that it was
Just as stated over the signatures OF the
committee; that u premium of $50 was
offered by the county agricultural society
for the best field of corn, which he got;
that it was planted close, and particular
attention was paid to it; that each stalk
was in its place, and the season favorable
that the two feet five inches space ran
cast and west, so that the sun struck it rs
it should The corn was well filled cars OF
yellow dent, and very solid. The estimate
of yield was made by the committee in
taking u shock here and there in different
parts Of the field, husking it and allowing
two bushels of ears for one of sheled, and
of course counting the shocks in the field.
Mr.. Dickey told me he received over 500
letters in relation to this crop, but could
not attempt their answer, as he should
have had to employ clerk. These hills
are all limestone, the soil red color, and
of great DEPTH