66 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



INDIAN CORN. 



ESSEX. 

 [From the Report of the Committee.] 



The committee were notified to view the corn-crop of 

 George L. Flook, West Newbury ; and accordingly, on the 

 15th of October, three members met at Mr. Flook's farm, 

 on old " Crane-neck Hill," and proceeded at once to the duty 

 assigned them. 



We found a field of nearly three acres of excellent corn, 

 growing upon a gravelly soil, on the south-easterly slope of 

 the hill. One acre of tliis field was entered for the premium. 

 Mr. Flook stated that the land was broken up last spring, 

 and upon one half-acre a compost of hen-manure and barn- 

 yard scrapings, valued at ten dollars, was spread broadcast, 

 and harrowed in. The other half-acre was treated with ten 

 dollars' worth of the Stockbridge Fertilizer, in the same 

 manner. A few rows adjoining received a dressing of ashes. 

 Here the difference was plainly visible, and showed greatly 

 to the disadvantage of the ashes ; for not only was the crop 

 very much smaller, but the quality of the corn was also 

 inferior to that raised upon either the compost or the Stock- 

 bridge Formula. 



The corn was tarred, to prevent the depredations of the 

 birds, and planted in checks three feet and a half apart 

 each way, care being taken never to exceed six kernels to 

 the hill. It should be stated that the compost was api:)lied 

 to the lower, and the Stockbridge Formula to the upper, and 

 consequently earlier and drier end. 



Your committee selected one rod, an average, from both 

 the lower and upper ends, husked and weighed the corn, 

 remarking that the crop on the upper end was filled out 

 better, and was also drier. 



