u 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to the depth of ten or twelve inches, and by some, more than 

 that depth, with the assurance that the roots of the plant 

 would reach it, &c. 



Experience has taught some of the most practical farmers 

 in Connecticut that this is wrong, and I hear it confidently 

 asserted tliat surface manuring and harrowing under will 

 produce better crops of- corn, of oats, and grass, and continue 

 to grow larger grass for a term of years, than where plowed 

 under to a depth of six or eight inches. 



The selection of good seed must not be forgotten. It 

 should be gathered at the time of cutting up or topping, or if 

 neglected at tliat time, at the time of husking. A stalk hav- 

 ing two well-developed ears, with rows running regularly on 

 the cob, and well filled to the end of the ear, is best. 



At the time of planting, the land is marked in rows at right 

 angles one to the other, and at a distance of three and one- 

 half feet, or three feet and nine or ten inches. At this dis- 

 tance it can be worked each way with a horse and cultivator, 

 which loosens the soil and facilitates the work of hoeing. 



Various mineral and special fertilizers are used to give the 

 germ an early and vigorous start. 



Ashes and one tenth as much gypsum or plaster of paris 

 mixed together, a handful to eacli hill, or one or two hundred 

 pounds of superphosphate per acre, are of great benefit for 

 this purpose. 



Here I may be allowed to digress for a moment from the 

 subject to speak of the worth of ashes upon land suited to 

 their use. 



In conversation with a gentleman who had given this matter 

 much attention, I asked him what the cheapest fertilizer was. 

 His reply was, " Ashes, Ashes." 



When sheep are kept upon the farm their manure should 

 be carefully saved without being drenched, and composted 

 with dry muck or gypsum. The droppings in the hen-house 

 should be prepared in the same way, forming an excellent 

 fertilizer to be used in the hill, but requiring the same caution 

 in its use as Peruvian guano. 



As a forage crop, corn is of great value, and many acres 



