FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 1*1 



to kill them; and this is believed to be the better way, as 

 by this mean the principal stalk is not injured by wounding. 

 It is said that sprinkling some gypsum on the silk of the 

 ear will make it fill to the very end. 



Indian corn will grow many successive years on the 

 same ground ; but it is not advisable to plant it more than 

 two years successively, as it is a crop which exhausts the 

 soil. Like some other crops, it cannot be overdone by 

 manuring; but, on the contrary, the richer the soil the 

 greater will be the clear profit; and if the ground be left 

 too rich for wheat or barley, it can be put to the more pro- 

 fuable culture of hemp. 



Tins plant may be gradually habituated to a more north- 

 erly or southerly climate. For instance, take the Virginia 

 corn and plant it one or two miles farther north every Sum- 

 mer, and by the time it has got into Canada it will be the 

 small Canada corn, ai;d -vice versa. 



Thus far we have thought proper to insert this article, as 

 it stood in the first Edition of this Work ; as we see no 

 particular reason to make any essential alteration ; though 

 some addition to the article may, perhaps, be acceptable. 



A method has been mentioned to us, of preventing birds 

 and squirrels from pulling up the corn, which is to soak the 

 seed, and then roll it in sulphur, and plant it immediately. 



Sulphur is of itself a manure; but by no means so effica- 

 cious tor this grain as gypsum ; and in this it should always 

 be rolled, after being soaked a few hours, before planting. 

 The effect of this application on the growing crop is very 

 great indeed. 



Perhaps a little sulphur mixed with the gypsum might 

 render the seed sufficiently obnoxious to birds, &c. If not, 

 perhaps the better way would be to omit the sulphur, by 

 which more gypsum could be used ; and, for preventing the 

 depredations ot birds, Sec. scatter Indian corn over the field, 

 at the rate of about two quaris to the acre, after planting ; 

 on which the birds, 8cc. will feed, without attempting to 

 pull up any of the young plants. 



In soaking the corn lor* seed, add some saltpetre to the 

 water used for the purpose; and let as much gypsum be 

 used, in rolling the seed, as can be made to adhere to the 

 grains. 



Some have pursued a method of planting rows or drills 

 of Indian corn and potatoes, alternately, to much apparent 

 advantage ; this giving the corn more room for the roots 

 to extend in search of food, without any essential injury 

 to the intermediate drills of potatoes. Perhaps it might be- 

 iound, in some instances, as advantageous to plant pump* 

 kins, as the intermediate rows, 

 See PUMPKIN. 



