VI.] CULTIVATION. 



corn field. Having gone as closely to the roots 

 as possible, at the first ploughing, I recommend 

 to keep at six inches from them in the second 

 ploughing ; and this is quite enough. 



106. After this last double ploughing is com- 

 pleted, the earthing up takes place ; which is per- 

 formed by a large hoe, drawing, from the middle 

 of the interval earth sufficient to hill up the 

 stalks of the plants to the heighth of six or seven 

 inches above the level of the ground where they 

 stand. But, before you perform this earthing up, 

 you must sucker the plants; and, this is a matter 

 which requires a full explanation. 



107. Each plant will send out from the bot- 

 tom of the stalk, just where it meets the ground, 

 one, two, three, four or more suckers. These 

 must be taken off by pressing the bottom ends of 

 them doionivardSj so as to leave to each plant 

 nothing but a single stalk. The suckers, if 

 strong, will bear ears themselves sometimes, 

 and, indeed, generally, if not always, if the plants 

 be strong ; but, in the first place, those who have 

 cultivated corn for a century and a half, always 

 take off the suckers. In the next place, the ears 

 which come upon these suckers are almost al- 

 ways very small ; are necessarily more backward 

 than the ears of the main stalk ; cause the crop 

 to ripen unequally ; and necessarily deduct from 

 the size and goodness of the ears upon the main 



