ON INDIAN CORN, &c. 



he sa3's will preserve trees of old " worn out " varieties, as " perfectly free from canker 

 as those of any new variety." 



An impenetrable bottom of stone, at not more than three feet from the surfiice, is frequently 

 made as a precaution against canker. I have been told that in the ancient orchards attached 

 to monasteries, such a flagging of brick or stone is often found under the whole area of 

 the orchard. This would seem at first sight to be directly opposed to the other precaution, 

 of thorough-draining and deepening the surface soil; but it may be considered that the 

 injuiy which stagnant water would effect is in a degree counteracted when the roots do 

 not descend below the influence of the atmosphere and the lieat of the sun. It is not un- 

 likely that these influences -would extend to a depth of three feet from the surface, in a 

 soil that had been so thoroughly trenched and lightened up as it necessarily must be to 

 allow of a paving to be made under it. The paving does not probably much retard the 

 natural descent of water from the surface, nor does it interfere with its capilliary ascent; 

 the tienching makes the descent of super-abundant water fiom the surface more rapid, 

 while the increased porosity of the trenched soil gives it increased power of absorption, 

 both from the subsoil and the atmosphere, as well as of retention of a healthy supply of 

 moisture. The paving also prevents the roots from descending below where this most 

 favorable condition of the soil has been made to exist. The eftect would doubtless be 

 greatly better if thorough-draining were given in addition; but so far as it goes, the under 

 paving and trenching is calculated to effect the same purpose as deep drainage; to secuie 

 a healthy supply of heat, light, and moisture to all the roots. 



It is evident that the precautions and remedies which have been found of service against 

 canker, whether operations upon the roots or the foliage, are all such as are calculated to 

 establish or replace the tree in circumstances favorable to its general thriving, healthy 

 condition. 



This suggests the idea that canker maybe the result of a general constitutional debility 

 of the tree, not occasioned by any one cause or set of causes, but resultant from all and 

 any circumstances unfavorable to the healthy growth of a tree; and it is a question 

 whether the same may not be thought of the peculiar diseases of other trees, the peach, 

 the pear, the plum, the sycamore, and perhaps even of the rot of the potato. 



ON INDIAN CORN AND THE IMPROVED CULTIVATION OF LAND. 



BY B. M., NEAV-YORK. 



In Agriculture and Horticulture, as in all other sciences, nothing is so well calculated 

 to reward the practical man with a remunerating profit for his labor, as is thorough exam- 

 ination of the subject of cultivation, which, for the time, engages his attention. Tliis 

 observation will appear, possibly to many, to involve such a self-evident truism, as to be 

 needless. It is nevertheless not so: foi- although it is quite true that every one engaged 

 in the culture of land intends to give full thought and proper consideration to his suliject, 

 and supposes that he not onhj intends but actually docs it, yet frequently this is fur from 

 being, in point of fact, the c;ise. 



In this rich country we possess thousands of acres of land, which require but little care 

 to return us crops willi which the grower is satisfied, as he gets a fair profit. And with 

 is content. But this should not be all. The question is, does he get from hi 

 at, ivith the time, labor and capital employed, it is capable of giving 



