112 Market Gardening, 



In the Middle States, or in southern localities, it is 

 well to get northern grown seed ; which, if carefully se- 

 lected, is sure to be earlier. Within the past few years 

 some marked improvements have been made in varie- 

 ties of lield corn, which will, no doubt, prove permanent 

 acquisitions ; but farmers should not jDut too much 

 confidence in novelties. 



Sweet Corn, also, — unless when grown expressly 

 for extra early marketing, — is too little profitable for 

 a garden crop, and in fact is very little grown by 

 gardeners. The principal sort raised in this vicinity 

 is the Extra Early Crosby, — that being the earliest of 

 all. A strong, sandy loam is its favorite soil. It 

 should be planted, for the early crop, about the first 

 of May. Sow in rows four feet apart, and hills three 

 or four feet apart in the row, according to the condition 

 of the soil. It is usually manured in the hill (besides 

 the broadcasting) with one or two shovelfuls of well- 

 rotted manure. The corn is planted by hand ; and, in 

 early planting, should be covered not over one inch 

 deep. Later plantings should be put in deeper. At 

 thinning time four plants should be left in each hill. 

 Clean culture should be given, and the earth should 

 be drawn slightly towards the hills so that water will 

 not stand about the stalks. 



If the season should prove favorable, the early crop 

 should be ready for marketing about July 15th. At 

 this date there would be little corn in the market 

 except that brought from the South, and the ears 

 should bring from twenty-five to thirty cents per 

 dozen. At this price the crop from an acre would 



