42 BOAED OF AGEICDLTURE. 



Evening Session. 



The meeting was called to order soon after seven o'clock, 

 Vice-President Hyde in the chair. 



The Chairman stated that the subject for discussion was 



CORN, 



which would be opened by a paper from Mr. Albert Day, of 

 Brooklyn. 



Indian Corn. Mode of Cultivation^ Uses and Value. 



Indian corn is our great native cereal, and its cultivation is 

 adapted to a wider range of latitude and elevation than any 

 other kind of grain. 



It is found in the British Provinces, the dry plains of Mex- 

 ico, the low and humid valley of the Amazon, and at the 

 Equator, and wherever the mean temperature of the summer 

 months is not below 68°. 



From the extent of its cultivation, and the immense pro- 

 duction, it may be considered as the most valuable of all the 

 grains and the best adapted to the support of animal life. It 

 has been said that " what the potato is to Ireland, Indian corn 

 is to the world." 



As an article of food, it enters into daily use in many New 

 England families, nor is the cheek suffused with the crimson 

 blush, when our hardy sons and daughters are told that " all 

 their bones are made of Indian corn." From such a wide 

 range of growth, it will be seen that it is not confined to any 

 particular variety of soil. But in New England, a red loam 

 that is not too dry is generally preferred as easier to work 

 and at less expense, although as large crops are often har- 

 vested from the dark and the more tenacious soils when 

 not overcharged with water, in which case they should be 

 thoroughly drained. 



The preparation of the land should not be forgotten, when 

 we consider that at the time of its germination, the tender 



