448 APPENDIX. 



observed of the turnip-crop, and probably of the pumpkin; but, 

 though attended with more labor, it. may usually be expected that 

 they will be drilled in by manual operation. We should advise that 

 the seed in the turnip-drills be liberally strewn, in order that if part 

 of the plants be destroyed by the flies, enough may still be left. 

 The corn and pumpkin-seed may be droped at the distance of six 

 inches, and thined at the first hoeing, so as to h;tve the growing 

 plants of the former about a foot apart, and the latter about eighteen 

 inches. If nny vacant places should happen in any of these drills, 

 such vacancies may readily be supplied by transplanting 1 sets, taken 

 from par<s where more plants are standing 1 than are necessary. Any 

 young plants may be transplanted after they have attained a suitable 

 size, which is usually in from two to four weeks growth. The vacan- 

 cies may be quickly filled by transplanting, and it is a matter well 

 worthy of attention. 



The practice, lately introduced, of laying barn dung at a good 

 depth, and then cove: ing it with mould to the depth of about three 

 or four inches, and planting the seeds over the manure thus covered, 

 seems to answer ihe best purpose for every drilled-crop, except po- 

 tatoes ; and we would therefore recommend this method of using 

 barn-dung in preference to every other, as far as it may be wanted 

 for drilled-crops. In this way this manure may be profitably applied 

 while fresh ; but in ma?iy instances we consider it more efficacious 

 when applied after the process of roting or fermentation has com- 

 menced. Such is the theory of Sir Humfihrey Du~vy< and we have 

 full confidence in its correctness. When thus buried in the earth, 

 the growing plants, placed above the manure, have the utmost means 

 of absorbing all its gaseous and soluble parts, while the process of its 

 decomposition is going on. 



In preparing seeds, we would, as a general rule, advise to their 

 being soaked about twelve hours in a strong solution of saltpetre, or 

 of common salt, and then rolled in gypsum before being commited 

 to the earth. The effect of this mode of preparing the seed seems 

 to be, that the young plants start with more vigor, and grow larger, 

 than they do where this treatment of the seed is neglected; and the 

 solution of saltpetre has the further effect of bringing plants to ma- 

 turity from one to two weeks sooner than they otherwise would 

 ripen. 



In selecting seed for the corn -crop, take such stalks as bear two 

 ears, and select the best ear from each of such stalks, the grains on 

 each end to be rejected. In all cases where it is practicable, the 

 seeds should be taken from the largest and most perfect plants, or 

 roots, as the case may be. By attending to this mode of selecting 

 seed, the product of the corn-crop in particular will soon be found 

 greatly augmented ; a discovery, the honor of which is due to Mr. 

 Cooper, of Newjersey. It is said that sprinkling a little gypsum on 

 the silk of the ears of corn, will make them fill to the ends. Niping 

 off the blossoms of the potatoe-crop, as fast as they appear, is found, 

 by accurate experiment, to increase the growth of the roots about 

 one-sixth part. Salt and gypsum have each a powerful effect on 

 their growth, though by applying too much of the latter it may cause 

 them to run too much to vines. To the com and pumpkin -crop 

 applv some of this latter manure, after the plants are up. What 

 eifect it has on turnips, we have never understood. 



In ploughing between the drills, let it be to a good depth, first 

 turning the furrows from the plants, riming about 4 inches from 

 them, and then turning the furrows buck, when the hoi ing and 

 hand-weeding are to follow. The second ploughing should be similar 



