234 



that it acts without being dissolved, and the author therefore considers 

 that the influence is due to the volatilization of the compounds. He 

 further experimented upon the influence of the alkaline borates and 

 silicates in small quantities, and found that such slight application 

 as 250 milligrams in 20 grams water retarded germination from one 

 to three days, and that when the application was made somewhat 

 stronger, 600 milligrams in 20 grams water, the phenomenon was 

 suspended. He also found that arsenious acid and the soluble arseniates 

 arrest germination, and destroy germination when applied in so small a 

 quantity as 250 milligrams in 90 grams water. 



FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. 



Statistics of coRN-GROwiNa. — The low rate of yield for all kinds 

 of grain in the South, and the small amount of hay gathered in that 

 region, have led to an impression, general as it is false, that tbe farms^ 

 of the Southern Atlantic coast are not susceptible of high culture and 

 large production of general farm-crops. The following communication 

 has been received from a gentleman thoroughly acquainted with this 

 section : 



Indian corn is the great American cereal, and it should be the pride, as it is the interest, 

 of the farmers of the nation to make the most of it by making all reasonable efforts to pro- 

 duce the very largest yield and finest quality of which the soil and climate are capable ; it is 

 for the honor as well as the profit of every producer to aim at obtaining the highest yield per 

 acre that can be made, and not allow the general average to fall below the achievements of 

 careful cultivators. 



Yet a reference to the carefully-collected statistics of the Agricultural Department, for 

 different years between IS65 and 1873, will show that the average yield is very low, be'ng- 

 only about one-fourth that obtained by the best cultivators. This lesson forcibly illustrates 

 the utility and value of the annual statistics collected and published by the Department. 



The annual report on Indian corn for 1865 shows the average yield per acre to be, in Mary- 

 land, 2'3 bushels, value 68 cents per bushel ; Virginia, 22 bushels, value 59 cents per bushel ; 

 Pennsylvania, 32 bushels, value 60 cents per bushel ; Ohio, 37 bushels, value 42 cents per 

 bushel ; United States, 24 bushels, value 48 cents per bushel. 



The entire crop of the United States was reported to be about 932J millions of bushels, 

 worth about $466,000,000. The entire crop of Maryland was reported to be 10^ millions of 

 bushels ; and of Virginia, 19^ millions of bushels, for that year. 



And these reports show that the yield in those two States is'below that of their nearest 

 neighboring States, north and west, and even below that of the cold, rigorous States of 

 Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, their average being 31 bushels the acre, while the 

 highest average yield in any State east, of the Pacitic slope was in Kansas, being 39 bushels : 

 the next New Jersey, 36 bushels. 



Now, in connection with this showing, if we look at the large achievements of careful,, 

 thorough cultivators, it may thoughtfully be asked, is this meager average in Maryland and. 

 Virginia, and some other States, creditable or profitable to the operators ? It is believct^ 

 there are no natural conditions in these localities to hinder them from doing as well as the best, 



The above report also shows that, notwithstanding the low yield, the aggregate value oi 

 the corn-crop in Maryland in 1873 was $7,106,680; and in Virginia, $11,372,2.50. And, in 

 view of all the facts, it is safe and reasonable to say that this amount may easily be doubled^ 

 and without more than half that amonnt of increased cost for cultivation. I have knowa 

 over 100 bushels of good corn to be raised from an acre two years in succession at one-fourth 

 less cost per bushel for the grain than the cost where only 50 bushels per acre was obtained, 

 or even 60. 



There are numerous well-attested instances in which yields of from 70 to 170 bushels of 

 good shelled corn have been obtained irom one acre of land. 



The Carroll County (Maryland) Agricultural Society, in 1873, gave the premium of $100 

 to Mr. J. Brown, of ilaltimore County, for producing on one acre of ground 1204- bushels 

 of good, sound corn, and l^^SSO poirnds of good fodder. It was a timothy meadow, and was 

 mowed two years, then plowed deep, subsoiled, and sown to wheat one year ; then spread 

 over lightly with stable-manure, which was plowed under ; then 500 pounds of bone-dust 

 spread broadcast, well harrowed and rolled ; then marked off with furrows 3.} feet apart 



