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FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 375 



the wind and insects carry it considcriible distances. Tlicre is considerable 

 difference in the several varieties in regard to color, size, habits of growtii, 

 productiveness, and in maturing. I am not posted as to the number of varie- 

 ties grown in the county, and will confine myself to the three leading ones 

 grown in my neighborhood, known as the Hathaway, Christopher, and Jones 

 corn. The Hathaway corn is the smallest of the three, .and might be 

 properly considered as a medium sized corn of a very uniform yellow color. 

 This variety grows to a good height, with rather small stock, with fair sized 

 cars, with deep grain and small cob; and will shell the greatest weight of corn 

 to the amount of cob of any variety with which I am acquainted. It ripens 

 early and having a small stock and small cob it admits of early harvesting and 

 cribing, without fear of moulding in the crib. It yields well and the stalks 

 make excellent fodder. I think this variety the best adapted to a wide range 

 of soils and circumstances than any variety with which I am acquainted. This 

 variety was originated by Mr. B. Hathaway of Little Prairie llonde, and under 

 his intelligent and watchful care it is continually improving. 



The Christopher corn is very similar in appearance, but is a larger variety, 

 having a larger stalk with larger ears and cob. It matures nearly as early as 

 the Hathaway, but on account of its large stalk and loose cob, does not dry 

 out as early, and consequently does not admit of as early harvesting. It suc- 

 ceeds w^ell on our hilly, timbered lands, with a rich, warm, gravelly soil, but 

 does not succeed so well on as great a variety of soils as the Hathaway. But 

 under favorable circumstances I think it will yield more to the acre. This 

 variety was introduced into this county by Mr. Henry Christopher, from Ohio. 



The Jones corn is the largest variety that I am acquainted with. It is 

 yellow, striped with red, and many ears are entirely red. It grows very 

 large stalks, with long large ears, has a large sappy cob, and when grown on 

 rich, strong soil, I think will out-yicld any other variety that I know of. It 

 ripens nearly as early as the Christopher, but on account of its large stalk and 

 cob, does not readily dry out, and is liable to mould. The stalks are also too 

 large to make the best of fodder. It was introduced in this country by some 

 of the Joneses of Youngs Prairie, I think from the south. 



Corn is the most susceptible of improvement of any of our cereal crops. The 

 intelligent farmer can at his will increase or decrease the size and shape of the ears 

 and grain, and cause it to ripen earlier or later, as he is inclined, by a judicious 

 selection of his seed. This is an important part of our subject, but to discuss it 

 in all of its bearings would extend this paper to too great length. As we increase 

 the size of our corn we make it later, and vice versa. Every farmer should 

 have a model case in his mind when selecting his seed, select such as comes 

 nearest the pattern, always remembering that like is more apt to produce like 

 than otherwise. Any dry, warm soil is good for a corn crop, provided it is in 

 good tilth and sufficiently rich. A cold, wet soil, especially if it be a clay soil, 

 should not be planted to corn. Any soil where clay predominates largely is 

 not so reliable as a gravelly or sandy loam. It is more easily affected by 

 drouth or wet. Our best corn lands are our high hilly timbered lands. It is 

 not so liable to be injured by drouth or long continued rains as level lands, and 

 is warmer. The best conditions of soil for a good crop of corn is a clover sod 

 that has lain in pasture one or two years, provided it is not infested with grubs 

 or cut-worms. The next best would be a wheat stubble that had followed a 

 clover soil. I never have had mucli trouble from grubs or cut-worms on such 

 lands. I have adopted this plan for several years, and think I can safely 

 recommend it. I use all the manure I can make on the clover field intended 



