LIMIT OF PRODUCTION. 55 



theory may explore, and experiment may develop, 

 probably with useful results. 



The prolific character of maize is shown, not more 

 in the large crops spread over many acres, than in the 

 self-multiplication of single grains. The reproduc- 

 tive vigor inherent in each separate seed is not a little 

 remarkable. One kernel has been known to produce 

 in a season several thousand grains, and single ears 

 of the gourd-seed variety have produced more than 

 a pint by measure. 



Now, if the proximity of the growing grains did 

 not interfere with this fecundity, if close planting in- 

 terposed no limit to these prolific results, it is easy to 

 see that an acre might be made to return a thousand 

 bushels just as readily as it now returns a hundred. 

 We know that a single stalk of maize will, under cer- 

 tain conditions, yield a pound or more of grain. .And 

 we also know that if an acre of good land, at the 

 proper season, were literally covered with grains of 

 corn, placed in contact and sprinkled over with earth, 

 those grains, if all perfect, would all germinate. But 

 would each one return a pound of corn ? Certainly 

 not ; nor any other quantity. The close planting vio- 

 lates a law of Nature. There is a certain interval or 

 space between the stalks that would render a pound 

 of corn possible for each. There is another interval 

 that would reduce this quantity to a gill ; and still 

 another that would render every stalk in the field 

 grainless. These intervals, however, are not fixed 

 quantities. They vary according to the soil, the kind 

 of grain planted, etc. For each of these varying con- 



