IT* FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



being less than the other was on account of less manure 

 having been carted on ; as it is doubtful whether planting 

 in double rows is better than planting in single. 



From all this, it appears, that a greater quantity of Indian 

 corn can be raised on an acre, than of any other grain ; and, 

 considering its nutrimental qualities, it may safely be s;/t4 

 that, next to rice, a given piece of ground cultivated 

 with this grain will support a greater number of People, 

 than that which is cultivated with any other grain what- 

 ever. 



The proper soils for this grain are the sandy, sandy-loam, 

 gravelly-loam, and rich red, or dark-colored earths, which 

 have no clay in them. Stiff clays are very unfit for this 

 crop, and cold or wet loams are not much better, unless 

 well managed. 



See CHANGE OF CROPS, for the best method of managing 

 such soils. 



Where sward-land is intended for Indian corn, it should 

 be broken up in the Fall ; and, if it be a stiff or wetish soil, 

 it should be thrown up in high narrow ridges by a second 

 ploughing. In the Spring, the ground should be well mel- 

 lowed with ploughing immediately before planting. What- 

 ever fresh barn-dung is to be applied, should be ploughed 

 in. Planting in rows, agreeably to the methods before de- 

 scribed, is best, as in this way about one-sixth part more 

 can be raised from the acre. 



As soon as the plants have got to the height of six or 

 eight inches, run a furrow, with a onehorse plough, as close 

 to the rows as possible without injuring the roots, turning 

 the furrows from the plants, then immediately turn the fur- 

 rows back again, so as effectually to mellow the mold inta 

 which the roots are shortly to extend. Let this ploughing 

 be of a good depth : The hoe is to follow and complete the 

 dressing. In due season, the plough is again to be applied, 

 Tuning the furrows farther from the plants, and turning 

 them towards them ; which is again to be followed by the 

 hoe. 



After this, another hoeing should be given for the pur- 

 pose of extirpating all the after-growth of weeds, which in 

 old ground are apt to spring up; but any further ploughing, 

 unless at a considerable distance from the rows, will be 

 found of little use to the roots; and the stalks, which are 

 now very tender, will be easily broken. 



In raising this crop, the essential points in tilling the 

 ground are, to keep it mellow and clear of weeds; and } 

 therefore, ploughing immediately before planting, and then 

 again stiring all the ground that can be stired, by first 

 ploughing closely from the rows, and then back to them, 

 answers the purpose of mellowing most effectually. As 



