854 [Assembly 



row. The more prevalent and esteemed practice is now, how- 

 ever, to spread tlie manure, if not too coarse, after plowing, and 

 to mingle it with the soil by thorough dragging. Plaster alone, 

 or more judiciously united with ashes and a light mixture of lime, 

 is applied, sometimes, in the hill, but almost universally upon 

 the growing plant, immediately after it appears. The effect is 

 most decided, communicating a rank and vigorous growth and 

 healthful color to the plant, and vastly augmenting the product 

 of the crop. No judicious farmer, I think, in the county doubts 

 this result. No practice, novel or peculiar, is observed in the 

 culture of this crop. The small eight-rowed is in general culti- 

 Tation. An improved variety of the Dutton, distinguished by a 

 small cob and for early maturity, has been recently introduced, 

 and is deemed a valuable acquisition. Corn is favorably cultiva- 

 ted in most sections of the county. The to^.-ns of Newcomb and 

 North Elba, and probably portions of St. Armand and Wilming- 

 ton, are not at this period apparently adapted to the culture. It 

 is believed, that this exception will not continue, when that part 

 of the county has felt the ameliorating influence upon its climate 

 which always attends the opening of the forests and the progress 

 of improvement and cultivation. I have no doubt that the warm, 

 loamy and vigorous soil of North Elba, may be successfully ap- 

 propriated to this husbandry. 



The stalks are usually cut up near the root, although the antiqua- 

 ted mode of topping still has its advocates and folluwers. When 

 cut in the juice they form one of the most valuable ingredients 

 for fodder, and are esteemed very nutritious and peculiarly con- 

 gtnial to milch cows. The use of the straw cutter immensely 

 economizes the consumption of this article. Very productive 

 crops of corn are not unfrequently raised upon old pastures, with 

 no other application of manuie than plaster and ashes. The re- 

 claimed sandy lands, under this tillage, often yield fifty bushels 

 to the acre. Corn is found, in this latitude, peculiarly adapted to 

 these soils. If the harvest is not large, the land is cheaply tilled, 

 the crop matores early and invariably attains the highest perfec- 

 tion. This crop is exposed to the same depredations of its com- 

 mon enemies which universally prevail, and I have derived from 

 the practices of the county no new suggestions for its protection. 



