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THE AMERICAN FARMER 



Cultivation. Frequent and careful culture are essential to the highest success with 

 the corn crop. Air and water are necessary to the growth of plants by not only contributing 

 to their sustenance, but also by aiding in reducing organic matter to its mineral elements and 

 a soluble condition, and by effecting a disintegrating and solvent action on the mineral particles 

 that the soil contains; consequently the more the surface of the soil is broken and stirred, the 

 more moisture is absorbed by it, and the more the circulation of air is effected within it. 

 Among some of the large crops of corn that we have had authentic proof of having been 

 harvested from one acre, was one of a hundred and fifty-one bushels, when shelled, and this 

 was cultivated once a week up to the time when the ears were forming, and after the silk had 

 been fertilized; we are also credibly informed that at this advanced period a dressing of 

 special corn fertilizer was worked into the soil ; this latter being done to promote the growth 

 of the ears and grain, and as. an experiment, on the principle that these should be encouraged 

 in growth, rather than the stalks and leaves, after the latter had attained a certain desirable 

 size. A requisite amount of leaf -growth is essential to the perfect growth and maturity of the 

 grain, but, beyond this requirement, an excessive amount of leaf-growth is not of importance 

 or desirable. 



THE BOBBINS CULTIVATOR, ADJUSTED FOR CORN. 



If we can, by frequent stirring of the soil, aid the plant in the production of more grain, 

 by promoting the growth of larger and more perfect ears, and preventing abortive or false 

 ears, or vacant spaces in the ears, we shall achieve in this department of agriculture what will 

 prove of immense value and profit in the production of this crop, and the labor expended will 

 prove a paying investment. Frequent stirring of the soil also hastens maturity Mr. Stewart 

 says, that in the cultivation of sweet corn for market he has hastened the maturity of the crop 

 several days by weekly cultivation. It is not necessary to wait for weeds, but do it for the 



