INDIAN CORN. 



247 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, AND HAMPDEN. 



Statement of Moses Stebbins. 



I have had the misfortune of having my cattle break into my 

 cornfield which I entered for the premium ($25 per 100 bushels 

 on the acre) of your society. In consequence of this, I have not 

 complied with the rules of the society in relation to it ; but 

 transmit to you a statement of the culture and produce of 

 another lot of four acres of corn, raised the past season, a part 

 of which was not harvested when my cattle broke into the best 

 field. The field had been in grass eight years, without manure. 

 In the spring of 1854, I hauled on and spread 25 loads of long 

 manure with 200 lbs. of plaster to the acre, and ploughed ten 

 inches deep with Ruggles, Nourse & Mason's double swivel 

 plough. I then spread 10 loads of light compost, (earth drawn 

 into my yard to absorb the liquid manure,) on the furrow, and 

 harrowed well, and planted to corn. Product estimated, at 100 

 bushels of merchantable corn to the acre. 



24th. Lot No. 2 liad the top stalks cut in the usual way, at the same date. 

 Lot No. 3 was left standing whole until October 29th, when each of the lots 

 was harvested and husked. The ears were then spread about six inches deep, 

 and remained until December 20th. At this date the whole was shelled, and 

 the result is as follows : — 



It appears by this experiment, that the corn which was stooked weighed 

 least at harvesting, and shrunk most before shelling , while that wliich had the 

 top stalks cut, weighed most at harvesting, and shrunk least before shelling. — 

 Secretary of the Society. 



