92 ANNUAL HEPORT OF NEW-YORK. 



have caused so much trouble and loss. The custom of many is 

 to gather their potatoes in heaps in the field, and cover with 

 potato tops, the worst of all covering. The potatoes continue 

 damp, and are exposed to air that is calculated to promote the 

 process of decomposition, and when the rot is once begun all 

 eiforts to check it are of little avail. 



In the cultivation of corn, I plow the land as early as practica- 

 ble in the spring, and again near the time for planting, and mel- 

 low the soil with the cultivator. When the ground becomes 

 sufficiently w^arm, I mark the field for hills about three feet and a 

 half apart, and plant. As soon as the plants are fairly above 

 ground I apply the composition before spoken of to the hills, and 

 run the cultivator through the rows both ways, weed the hills 

 and loosen the earth with the hoe if necessary. The composition 

 is applied once or twice afterwards, and the cultivator and weed- 

 ing repeated as often as may be necessary to destroy the weeds 

 and keep the earth light and mellow. In this way, at an expense 

 for manure not exceeding sixty or sixty-five cents per acre, I have 

 had full crops of corn averaging about fifty bushels per acre. 



The stalks are cut at the root soon after the corn is glazed and 

 stooked to cure in the field. They are carried to the barn to be 

 husked at the proper time, and the stalks or husks may be saved 

 in a condition sweet and free from mold, and affording a most 

 tempting food for stock by spreading them in alternate layers with 

 straw or hay, that will absorb the moisture and complete the pro- 

 cess of cuiing. 



In the cultivation of wheat, I sow what is known here as 

 Scotch wheat, after corn, potatoes or peas, two bushels per acre. 

 The ground is prepared by plowing in the fall and again in the 

 spring, as early as practicable. After the sowing the ground is 

 mellowed, and the grain covered by the harrow or cultivator, and 

 sometimes by both, if necessary, and then rolled. If the earth 

 is dry roll immediately; if not, it is better to postpone the rolling 

 till the wheat comes up. 



After the wheat appears, I sow two to three bushels to the 

 acre, of the top dressing already described. If any weeds or 

 thistles appear in the field, they should be eradicated before they 

 attain a size to overshadow and check the growth of the wheat. 



