FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 147 



to agree with me. You are intelligent, thinking farmers. Each one of you, 

 doubtless, has his favorite system of cultivation, and we cannot expect you to 

 abandon it without due reflection and careful thought. It must be expected 

 that active, progressive farmers will differ. Hence, we are here to compare 

 our respective processes, and to learn each other's methods. 



I am confident that should the manner of cultivation I have but imperfectly 

 outlined be generally adopted by the farmers of Michigan, our present low 

 average of but little over 30 bushels per acre would soon become a thing of the 

 past, and instead thereof we should reap, some sixty, some eighty, and some 

 even an hundred fold. 



DISCUSSION. 



John Irwin. — Is it not better to plow early and let the ground get warm 

 before planting? 



Mr. Sparks. — In general, no. The ground should be fresh as possible from 

 the plow; of course it should be in good condition. Quick germination and 

 rapid growth are the conditions of successful corn growing. 



John Irwin. — He did not believe it would do to plant immediately after 

 plowing on clay; it might be good on sand. 



John Clark. — He agreed with Mr. Irwin, and could raise much better corn 

 from fall plowing. He believed in fresh soil and he obtained this by cultivat- 

 ing the plowed land. He believed in raising large crops of corn and grass as 

 necessary to the existence of live stock, from which we maintain our fertility. 



Mr. did not agree with Mr. Sparks as to the depth of planting; would 



not plant deep on a dry soil. 



John Young wanted to know what was meant by food for the corn. 



Mr. Sparks. — Do not wish to go into the subject of artificial fertilizers. I 

 wished to show that nature provided a fertilizer. 



Mr. Nims wanted to know if fall plowing did not rob the soil of the blanket 

 which protects it from the frost. 



Mr. Sparks did not believe in fall plowing as a general thing, except it might 

 be for a stiff timothy sod. 



Mr. Irwin mentioned an instance where he obtained good results from fall 

 plowing. 



Mr. John Clark wanted to know of the use of the harrow, either just before 

 or just after the corn comes up. 



Mr. Irwin. — I have obtained good results with a harrow, better than from a 

 cultivator. 



Mr. Clark said he had bought a harrow made on purpose for working corn. 

 The angle at which the teeth meet the frame can be changed. 



Mr. Baker. — I have used a common harrow after the corn was up four inches ; 

 did not take out more than one or two hills in forty rods. Ground is a sandy 

 loam. I roll it every year; that is a good plan. 



Mr. Nims. — Does it not hurt corn worse to harrow when it is one inch high 

 than when four inches high? 



Mr. Woodruff thought that a fact. He believed firmly in thoroughly 

 harrowing the corn just before it comes up and after it is about four inches 

 high. 



Mr. Dorrity. — I put the drag on just before it comes up, and I also cross- 

 drag it. I have good corn invariably. 



Mr. B. Helmic. — I plant corn the first day of May if the ground is fit. I 

 would use a marker, and prefer my corn near the top of the ground. I would 



