AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 129 



but not the grains were fully formed, it used to be the custom 

 to top the corn, i. e., cut off the stalks and le.ives above tlio 

 highest ears ; but this is now generally abandoned. Truer views 

 of the physiology of vegetation have taught that the leaves are 

 necessary for the elaboration of the sap which forms the grain ; 

 and careful experiments proved that when the plant was thus 

 deprived of part of its foliage, the grain was lighter and the 

 . ear not so well filled, although it might ripen a little earlier. 



303. In the Southern States, it is customary to pluck tho 

 leaves of com, dry them for fodder, and stack them, leaving the 

 stalks standing in the field, to be afterwards eaten by stock, or 

 plowed in. As this is generally done before the grain is formed, 

 the same injurious results follow as in topping. 



The following experiment was tried in South Carolina in 184G. 

 Twelve rows of corn, as nearly equal in appearance as could be found, 

 were selected. Nos. 1, 4, 7, 10, (A,) were left with the leaves on, until 

 they were generally dry as high as the ear, and, on some stalks to the 

 top. They were then cut up at the roots; shocked on the field until the 

 other grain was gathered in ; they were then hauled in and husked from 

 the stalk. ISTos. 2, 5, 8, 11, (B,) were left with the blades on until quite 

 ripe. Nos. 3, 6, 9, 12, (C,) were stripped of their blades before ripen 

 ing, but as late as usual. The results were as follows : 



A, wncn shelled, measured 4 pecfcs, 1 gallon, 2 quarts, I pint, weighed 70** ll&amp;gt;8. 



B, &quot; &quot; 4 &quot; 1 &quot; 2 &quot; l &quot; &quot; 71&amp;gt; Ibs 



C, &quot; &quot; 4 &quot; &quot; &quot; ^ &quot; &quot; 55 Ibs 



The fodder, taken from the last, weighed 18 Ibs., which added to the 

 weight of the corn is 73 Ibs. 1 1-2 Ibs. more than the corn alone from 

 which no leaves were taken. It thus appears that this process deprives 

 the corn of nearly the weight of the fodder when cured, without reck 

 oning the time also consumed in taking the leaves off. 



304. Corn is harvested by cutting close to the ground, with 

 a heavy knife manufactured for the purpose, or part of a scythe 

 blade, fixed to a handled of some sort. Several hills are laid 

 together, and bound with a corn stalk ; with straw rope ; or other 

 cheap band. These bundles, to the number of 4 to 8, are then 

 tied around the stalks of a hill left standing for the purpose. 



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