GRAIN AND ITS CULTIVATION. 141 



the ground as level as possible. On such lands, this is 

 attended with several advantages ; as it gives the grain 

 an early start, and a moist, sheltered position, at a time 

 when drought and a hot sun would check or prevent vegeta- 

 tion. As soon as the corn is matured, it is cut up by the 

 roots and placed in compact shocks, or removed to one side 

 of the field, when the rye is thoroughly rolled. When sown 

 on a fresh plowed field, it should be harrowed in before roll- 

 ing- 

 Great success has attended the turning in of green crops, 

 and following the fresh plowing with immediate sowing of 

 the seed. This brings it forward at once. No after cultiva- 

 tion is needed, except harrowing in the spring, and again roll- 

 ing, if the land is light, both of which are beneficial ; for though 

 some of the stools may be thus destroyed, the working of 

 the ground assists the remaining plants, so as to leave a great 

 advantage in favor of the practice. A friend of the writer 

 had occasion to plow some land in the spring, which joined 

 a field of rye belonging to a neighbor. The owner claim- 

 ed damages for supposed injury by the team and plow, which 

 it was agreed should be assessed, on examination after har- 

 vesting, when it appeared that the damaged part was the 

 best of the whole field. An honest English yeoman receiv- 

 ed several pounds from a liberal squire, for alleged injury to 

 his young grain, from the trampling of horses and hounds in 

 a fox chase ; but at harvest, he found the crop so much benefit- 

 ted by the operation, that he voluntarily returned the money. 

 If the rye is luxuriant, it may be fed both in the fall and 

 spring. Early cutting, as in wheat, produces more weight, 

 larger measure and whiter flour. But whatever is intended 

 for seed, must be allowed to ripen fully on the ground. 



Southern Rye differs materially in its manner of growth, 

 from that cultivated in the North: I believe, however, this 

 difference arises exclusively from dissimilarity of climate ; 

 and that, like the sectional sub-varieties of corn or maize, a 

 few years' .successive growth in a peculiar latitude, will give 

 to either species, the same characteristics as the longer accli- 

 mated grain. It tillers remarkably, and grows with great 

 luxuriance during fall and a part of winter, affording excel- 

 lent forage for cattle, sheep, and other animals. When the 

 animals are taken off the following spring, the grain runs up 

 to seed, yielding from 10 to 15 bushels of ripened grain to 

 the acre. I saw a beautiful field of this, late in November, 

 adjoining the mansion of Col. Wade Hampton, of South 

 Carolina, which was devoted to the pets of the stables and 



