110 On topping Indian Corn, ^c. 



It may not be improper to state the nature of the ground 

 on which these turnips grew, and how managed. I 

 therefore subjoin the following : viz. the soil is of a good 

 quality, and about the medium between a light and heavy 

 loam, and the fall preceding it was under a stiff sward. 



The latter part of the 11th mo. 1816, 1 had it ploughed 

 about seven inches deep, the furrow slices well turned 

 over, and a few days after the ploughing, the ground was 

 well harrowed, first in the direction of the furrows, and 

 secondly, cross-wise, levelling and filling up the inter- 

 stices. In this state the ground remained until the 5th 

 mo. (May) following, about the 10th of which had it well 

 harrowed in both directions, and on the 13th the corn was 

 planted in hills at the intersection of furrows previously 

 marked out at the distance of five feet apart each way, 

 with seed soaked in a strong liquor of horse manure and 

 water, for forty-eight hours, which after draining a little, 

 was w ell rolled in plaster of paris. In the culture of the 

 corn throughout the season, particular care was taken in 

 harrowing and shallow ploughing, to disturb the sward 

 below as little as practicable ; produce of shelled com 

 per acre, sixty bushels. The only manure applied to said 

 ground was leached ashes, say ten two horse cart loads 

 to the acre, spread over the surface and incorporated with 

 it, by being well harrowed just previously to planting the 

 corn. 



As an early topping and blading of the corn, for the 

 free admission of sun and air, to promote the growth of 

 the turnips would be desirable, it therefore becomes an 

 object of consequence to ascertain the most early period 

 that the topping and blading can be effected without in- 

 jury to the growth and filling of the corn. With a view 

 to the ascertaining this period, I adopted the following 

 experiment, made on the 3d of the 9th month last, on 

 nine hills of corn, being of the average quality, the stalks 



