GRAIN AND ITS CULTIVATION. 151 



care, not only from the best varieties, but the best seed of 

 the particular kind desired. Some of the choicest have 

 been brought to their present perfection, by selecting only 

 the earliest and largest ears from the most prolific stalks. 

 This ought always to be done before the corn is gathered in 

 the field, where there is an opportunity for comparison. 



Hybridizing Corn, like that of other grain, is easily ac- 

 complished, and its results are marked and frequently bene- 

 ficial. The probable identity in origin of all the varieties, 

 is evinced by the rapid change exhibited in the most di- 

 verse kinds when their locality is changed. The small, 

 early corn of the North, becomes the tall, later-maturing 

 corn of the South, after being cultivated for two or three 

 seasons in Louisiana; and the Oregon, with every kernel 

 safely encased in its separate calyx, in the climate of New 

 York, soon exchanges this partial covering for the more com- 

 prehensive husk. Similar changes are characteristic of every 

 variety ever coming within our notice. 



Preparation of Seed. Repeated experiments hav de 

 monstrated the great utility of steeping corn for one or two 

 days before planting, in a solution of saltpetre. This accele- 

 rates the growth of the plant, and is a protection against birds, 

 squirrels and mice, and for a while it will keep off worms. 

 An effectual remedy against these depredations, is to add 

 half a pint of boiling tar to a peck of seed, stirring the corn 

 briskly for several minutes, as the tar is added, till every ker- 

 nel is thinly coated with it. This supersedes the necessity 

 of the worse than absurd remedy of scare-crows. The crows 

 and other birds are of great advantage to the farmer on all 

 his fields, as they pick up numberless insects, grubs and 

 worms, which infest the ground and destroy, or seriously in- 

 jure the vegetation. Instead of driving them from the corn 

 grounds, they should be enticed there, by every proper 

 means ; and by rendering the grain distasteful, their appe- 

 tites are sharpened for the worms and insects, the less con- 

 spicuous, but more fatal enemies of the grain. 



Planting. Corn may be planted in hills three to five feet 

 asunder, leaving from three to five stalks well spread in 

 each hill, according to the kind of seed and quality of land. 

 Some plant in drills, but this is objectionable when raised for 

 the grain, as the trouble of cultivation is greater, without 

 increasing the yield. Thick "planting gives fewer ears upon 

 a stalk and those of less size. The time of planting at the 

 North, is usually the first three weeks of May, depending 



