150 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



the Oregon, with its separate husk or envelope for every dis- 

 tinct kernel. But if we narrowly watch the vagaries of 

 nature, we shall detect deviations from the ordinary stand- 

 ards of our domesticated varieties, which approximate so 

 closely to the most fanciful of'the exotics, that we are com- 

 pelled to believe, that all those which have hitherto come 

 within our notice, originated from one common head ; and 

 that the peculiarities of every description, are owing to the 

 difference of soil, climate and culture, and the carefully- 

 cherished eccentricities of nature, aided by a skillful science 

 or well practiced art. It is needless to particularize the many 

 popular kinds of corn under successful cultivation in this 

 country. They are found to vary with almost every degree 

 of latitude and longitude ; and there are not unfrequently, 

 numerous kinds held in deservedly high estimation within 

 a single district. From these, there will be no difficulty in 

 selecting such as will best repay the farmer's attention. 



TJie Soil for Corn must be dry, rich and well-pulverized. 

 Neither strong clay or poor wet lands will yield good crops 

 of corn. Land can scarcely be too rich for it ; and the 

 fresher and less fermented the manure applied to it, unless 

 on light, sandy soils, the better it will be for the crop. A 

 great error is committed in raising corn, as with most of our 

 tillage crops, from not having the soil sufficiently enriched ; 

 though this error is diminished in the case of such as will 

 not bear an excess of manure. Corn is a gross feeder, and 

 necessarily ranges over a great space in search of food. It 

 has a large amount of stalk, leaves and grain to provide for 

 in a few weeks, and its increase will be commensurate with 

 the supply of food. 



A clover ley or rich grass sod is an excellent preparation 

 for corn, with the addition of manure when required. But 

 the manure should always be scattered broadcast, plowed 

 and well harrowed in. The roots will be certain to find it, 

 and in consequence of its general diffusion and consequent 

 gradual absorption by the crop, the development of the ear 

 and grain will correspond with that of the stalk and leaves. 

 When manured in the hill on poor soil, it comes forward 

 rapidly, and this induces an extension of the roots and foliage, 

 entirely disproportioned to the elements contained in the 

 soil ; and finding a support wholly inadequate to a corres- 

 ponding maturity, the crop is limited to the overgrown stalks 

 and leaves and a small proportion of grain. 



The Selection of Seed should be made with the utmost 



