327 



In these hills they put four or five corns, 

 and this is generally done in the first week 

 of May. Reckoning four corns to one hill, 

 four thousand only will be required to plant 

 an acre containing a thousand hills. When 

 the corn is come up, they go with their 

 hoes, draw a little mould to the plants, de- 

 stroy any weeds that may appear, and plant 

 fresh corn if any be wanting, which often 

 happens. That done, they plough from, 

 those hills both ways : then they go with 

 their hoes, work the hills again, and draw 

 the plants of an inferior kind out, leaving 

 two of the best plants on each hill ; or, if 

 the land be good, three, and sometimes four; 

 and transplant those drawn out where any 

 are wanting. However, when more than 

 two plants are left on one hill, there will 

 be little corn, but much tops and blades. 

 Then they plough all the land towards the 

 plants one way. They then sucker them ; 

 that is, take off any young sprouts that have 

 tillered ; otherwise the corn will not grow in 

 the ear to its proper length or size, but grow 



