VIII.] AND HUSKING. 



Crib, of which I shall say more presently. In 

 all corn fields there are some under-ears^ as there 

 are in all wheat and other fields of grain. The 

 grain in these under-ears is inferior in size, 

 sometimes in ripeness, and sometimes in other 

 respects, and is of a quality rather inferior to 

 the grains of the head-ears. These mider-ears 

 generally amount to about a sixth part of 

 the crop ; but, though of inferior quality, they 

 are by no means without their value ; they are 

 good for the purpose of fatting hogs, sheep, 

 and poultry. 



131. I have said that the head-ears are to be 

 put into the corn-crib, which is, in fact, a little 

 granary standing upon stones, or upon posts 

 surrounded with tin, as a protection against rats 

 and mice. The ends and the sides are not to 

 be boarded, but lathed with interstices, too nar- 

 row to let out a full ear of corn. Here it is, 

 that the corn is kept; because, though in the 

 hottest countries, there remains so much of 

 moisture in the cobb which feeds the grains, 

 and in which they are, indeed, ^Z«w/ec? by nature, 

 that, if the ears were to be put together in great 

 quantities, they would mould more or less, if shut 

 up in any situation that would exclude them from 

 the sun, the air, and the winds. Mould never 

 comes in the open air, at least it never does to 

 substances of this sort. 



