EIGHT-ROWED CORX. 129 



Now, I want to say a word about the constant grumbling 

 we hear among farmers, to the effect that farming does not 

 pay. It is one of the worst possible evils in a farming com- 

 munity; it tends to make the boys and girls dissatisfied, and 

 induces them to leave the farm and go off somewhere where 

 they think they can live better or easier. I met an old 

 friend here, who has been to sea all his life, and he said he 

 had bought a farm in this vicinity. I told him that was the 

 best move he ever made in his life. I am glad he has had 

 the good sense to take such a step. 



Question. What kind of corn do you find most profitable ? 



Mr. HirMPHREY. Eight-rowed corn, very similar to the 

 red flint. ]\Ir. Walker has raised twelve-rowed corn for sev- 

 eral years, and has argued in favor of it ; but last winter he 

 said to me, " If you will let me have enough of your corn to 

 plant four acres, I will try that by the side of my large corn." 

 I picked out of my bin enough of the best ears to plant four 

 acres, and carried them clown to him. The result was, he 

 got three or four, or five or six, more bask(?ts of the eight- 

 rowed corn from an acre than he did of the twelve-rowed. 

 He is going to keep that corn until spring, until it is thor- 

 oughly dried, and then shell and measure it, and I think he 

 will get some results which will be valuable as to the best 

 corn to raise. 



Question. Is your variety yellow ? 



Mr. Humphrey. Yes, sir. I raise the yellow, eight- 

 rowed corn, of the smallest cob and the least stalk. I don't 

 want to raise fodder. I want to raise corn : that is what I 

 am after. 



Question. Is it not profitable to raise fodder ? 



Mr. Humphrey. I have no doubt it is in some cases, but 

 not as I am situated. If I had a milk-farm, I should do it. 

 My land is adapted to corn, and I should raise fifty acres if 

 I could get rid of the fodder. The Stockbridge fertilizer 

 seems to be adapted to my land ; to Mr. Walker's it does 

 not. His land is heavier than mine. He tried it on rather 

 wet land, for grass : my soil is lighter. I have, I think, 

 some seventy-five acres adapted to the Stockbridge fertiliz- 

 er, if I could only get rid of the fodder. I believe I can 

 raise corn for fifty cents, and then beat the West, if I burn 

 up the fodder. I think the dependence of New England 



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