88 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



These fertilizers were thoroughly screened and mixed on a 

 smooth floor, and applied to the land after it was harrowed, 

 in two portions ; the first, consisting of twelve barrels, 

 through the agency of a broadcast seed-sower moved by two 

 horses. The second portion, of twenty barrels, was streivn by 

 hand across the hills, as determined by the marker, which was 

 previously used. 



The corn was planted the first of May, in hills thirty-eight 

 inches apart, and either four or five kernels in the hill. On 

 account of the drought then prevailing, the seed germinated 

 very unequally and very slowly, and about three weeks 

 elapsed before the rows could be determined through the 

 sprouting of the grain. The variety Avas an eight-rowed corn, 

 with small cob and large yellow grain. There were two hoe- 

 ings of the field, and the cultivator was run one way through 

 the rows, previous to each hoeing. 



The following notes may be made of the growing crop : 

 June 20, the corn-plants short, but healthy-looking ; July 

 20, corn very much foddered, almost too thick and luxuriant 

 a growth, as we fear the plant will run to leaf, rather than 

 grain ; August 8, the field shows very much more fodder, 

 nearly double that of the manured field at the other end of the 

 farm, but the ears do not appear as numerous. Average 

 height about nine feet, or possibly a trifle more ; September 

 17, commenced cutting and stooking the corn. 



The season has been on the whole propitious for corn, and 

 all the corn-fields in our neighborhood are looking far better 

 than usual. Since the early drought, the rains have been 

 frequent, and although the nights have not been as warm, 

 for the most part, as farmers would consider desirable, yet 

 the maize-plant has abundantly prospered in growth, and 

 the only drawback has been the delay in ripening, which 

 compels a rather earlier harvesting than is desirable. On 

 the night of September 21, there was a heavy frost, the 

 thermometer marking twenty-nine degrees under the house 

 piazza. 



October 11, we harvested and husked the two unman ured 

 rows on the west border of the field. These rows were 

 72 rods long, and, being 38 inches apart, represent an area 

 of 27.6 square rods, or 1| acre. 



