186 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



in proper condition, is deeply furrowed with a large plough" 

 These furrows are supplied with a heavy dressing of green 

 manure, or of green and compost thoroughly mixed. Sweet 

 corn, or a mixture of sweet and Northern field corn, is sown 

 thickly upon them, and the soil is turned back to cover it, by the 

 horse plough passing on each side of the furrow. This, with 

 slight use of the hoe, will sufficiently cover and level the top 

 of the drill, and one repetition of the ploughing and hoeing 

 will finish the necessary labor on the growing crop. The sweet 

 corn is found to produce a more succulent and tender stalk and 

 leaf than the white Southern corn, which is usually planted. 

 Cattle will eat it with avidity and entirely, while the coarse 

 stalk of tlic other sort is often left untouched upon the field, 

 or in the crib. The leaf is broader and draws more nourish- 

 ment from the atmosphere, and the whole planL is less exhaust- 

 ing to the soil, and more gratefulto the cattle. The superior 

 effect of its use is also to be traced in the quality of the milk 

 and the butter. 



The extensive culture of this article, is therefore recom- 

 mended, with the full belief that the benefit of it will be seen in 

 the large increase of stock which can be well kept on the same 

 number of acres, and in the general products and profits of 

 our farms. We add, also, that the use of green corn fodder 

 as the principal food, has been found amply sufficient to sustain 

 and keep in good, thriving condition, store pigs, from its first 

 growth until the autumn frosts are felt. 



From a brief experience, we are disposed to recommend, 

 with much confidence, the '■'■ Stowell," or '■'■ Evergreen Sweet 

 Corn," as the most productive variety to be grown on our soil. 

 From this corn, with no great labor or cost, from five to ten 

 tons of the richest feed may be raised on any acre of ground 

 which would have failed to yield, under the best cultivation, 

 three, or even two, tons of hay, or in pasture, to have kept, in 

 good condition, one cow. If cut early and dried in small 

 bundles on the fence, or in stooks, after wilting in the sun, this 

 plant aff'ords excellent winter feed for all sorts of stock, and 

 if chopped and steamed, mixed with meal or barley meal, for 

 fattening cattle and swine. 



