190 IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



before stated, only that I ridged all I could, with the culti- 

 vator, instead of using stirring plow. 



"During the growing season, the Spring-plowed presented 

 much the better appearance; the corn attaining a highfc of 

 about ten feet, and the ears hanging five to six feet above 

 ground, while the other was only about eight feet high, with 

 ears about three feet above ground. But the latter came in 

 well on the home stretch, the ears being very uniform in size 

 and weighing fourteen to eighteen ounces each. The fifty 

 acres thus averaged seventy bushels of sound, well matured 

 corn per acre, while the one hundred acres. Spring-plowed, 

 turned about fifty bushels to the acre. 



" I am satisfied that Fall-plowed land is preferable to 

 Spring-plowed, for corn ; the latter can thus be planted earlier, 

 and will be in much better condition for planting and cultivat- 

 ing. Every farmer knows the beneficial effects of freezing and 

 exposure to atmospheric influences on the soil. Although the 

 Spring-plowed was planted five to ten days later than the 

 ortier, it was up as soon, and, at any time during the 

 Season, the casual observer would have called it the better 

 crop ; yet it was not, by fully twenty per cent. 



" The principal part of the labor in producing corn should 

 be done early. Thorough harrowing, at the time of planting, 

 stirring the ground deeply with cultivators soon after, cultivat- 

 ing it often while small, before it has thrown out its brace 

 roots, and leaving the ground in good shape for them to pene- 

 trate far and wide, is, in my estimation, the way to get the 

 largest yield in husking time. I would not discuss ' Hilling 

 versus Level Cultivation ' at all ; the same object may be ac- 

 complished in either way. 



" In this country farmers attempt too much, and the result 

 is, the average of the State, in a fair season, is less than thirty 

 bushels per acre, instead of fifty bushels or more, as it should 

 be. Employ help at the proper tiuue and it will always pay. 

 I only oversee my work, and I hire every thing done except 

 this ; yet my expenses in raising this crop do not exceed eight 

 cents per bushel in the crib." 



