10 



is good than inferior cultivation. It is difficult to convince the 

 majority of farmers that one hundred bushels of Indian corn 

 can be produced on an acre, for no other reason that I could 

 ever discover, than that they have not done it. The incredu- 

 lous, however, now begin to admit that much larger crops may 

 be produced than they have been in their way of cultivation 

 accustomed to obtain. In producing a crop of thirty or thirty- 

 five bushels, it may happen that this yield makes an inadequate 

 return for the expenses ; but the addition to such a crop of 

 twenty or thirty bushels, as the difference in the expenses of 

 cultivation would be by no means proportionately increased, 

 would be almost clear profit. The extent of land employed in 

 such case would be the same ; the cultivation not more labori- 

 ous ; and the main difference would consist in higher or more 

 liberal manuring. 



The kinds of corji planted in this county are quite various, 

 and designated in different places by different local names. 

 On the meadow lands in Deerfield, a very large kind is grown, 

 eight-rowed, and the ears of which are frequently fifteen inches 

 in length. The kernels are proportionately large, and I have 

 repeatedly measured more than a pint of shelled corn from one 

 of these ears. It is generally planted in hills, at a distance of 

 five and six feet each way, sometimes at a space of even nine 

 feet by five between the hills; and it is intended to leave three 

 stalks in a hill. It requires a long season to ripen. The fod- 

 der IS coaise, and indeed it has nothing to recommend it over 

 a smaller kind of corn of an eight and twelve-rowed variety, 

 which bears much closer planting, and yields more to the acre. 

 The latter was originally introduced from Canada, and, accommo- 

 dating itself to its new location, has gained in size and lost in ear- 

 liness. It ripens, however, sooner than the large kind, which 

 I have described. What is called the Button corn, though 

 tried in various cases, has not been approved. It is a twelve- 

 rowed variety of flint corn, and yields well; but the cob being 

 large, and retaining considerable moisture after the grain ap- 

 pears to be dry, is liable to produce mouldiness in the crib. 



In discussions respecting the merits of different kinds of corn. 



