The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-05-12
A Good Corn Farm.

The corn crop Of Mr.. James Dickey, of
Washington county, Pa, grown in 1873,
and reported at 1859 bushels per acre, If
correctly reported, exceeds that Of Mr..
John w Murray, Of Carroll county, grown
the same year, which was 1924 bushels per
acre. In Mr.. Murray's case, the land and
the corn were both accurately measured
by eworn measurer. In Mr.. Dickey's
case, the crop was estimated by taking
shosk here and there in different parts Of
the field and allowing two bushels of ears
for one Of shelled corn. The estimate may
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 VIC
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 il Eds. Democratic
Advocate.
Having business in Washington, Pa,
last week, and being within l6 miles of
the firm which produced the famous corn
crop Of 1873, report Of which went the
rounds Of the press the following year, /
resolved to devote q day to visiting the
farm of james Diekey l took the cars
at Washington, and left them at West
Alexander, village 16 miles distant, and
about the same distance from Wheeling,
w. Va.
A narrow rayine, with sloping hills on
each side, divided by the road aud brook,
might describe the contour Of Mr.. Dickey's
farm. A two-story red brick house, with
back porch facing the hillside, barn
farther back on one side, aud cool spring
and milk house on the other, described
the out-buildings. The sheep barns are
situated in their respective fields. | met
Mr.. Diekey 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 a 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 Of another
hill was badly lodged by winds in June,
but still gave large yield. He follows
corn with oats, then wheat and seed, and
continues that rotation year after year.
He has six idnatsd acres, and turns sod
field every year for corn. He keeps a
thousand Merino sheep; he received last
year $4,000 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 Of corn; that it was
just as stated over the signatures of the
committee; that a 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
east and west, so that the sun struck it as
it should The corn was well filed ears Of
yellow dent, and very solid. The estimate
of yield was made by the committee in
taking shock here and there in different
parts Of the field, husking it and allowing
two bushels of ears for one of shelled, 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 limstone, the soil red color, and
of great depth.