12 



But, in order to determine more exactly the relative propor- 

 tion of the cob to the grain in the two varieties, I selected two 

 of the best ears of each sort, shaved the butt as closely as pos- 

 sible ; and, having carefully shelled the|corn, caused the grain 

 and the cob of each parcel to be weighed separately in an apoth- 

 ecary's scales. Of the two ears of the eight-rowed, one meas- 

 ured in length 8^ inches, one 8J inches. Of the two twelve- 

 rowed ears, one measured 9f inches, the other lOi inches. 



Of the two ears of the eight-rowed, 



the grain weighed . . . 8J oz. — thecobljoz. 

 Of the two ears of the twelve-rowed, 



the grain weighed . . . 13f oz. — the cob 2J oz. 



In these cases it will be found, that the proportional weight 

 of the cob to the grain is precisely the same ; and this, there is 

 good reason to think, will be found to be generally the fact. 



With a view to compare the two kinds still farther, I caused 

 one peck of each kind shelled, well shaken and struck, to be 

 weighed ; and the result follows : — 



One peck eight-rowed weighed 17 lbs. — 68 lbs. to the bushel. 

 One peck twelve-rowed weighed 161 lbs. — 65 lbs. to the bushel. 



The difference would probably have been less had each par- 

 cel been equally well ripened and saved. The season was par- 

 ticularly unfavorable to late-planted corn ; and my neighbor's 

 was planted very early. 



It will be seen, that both kinds weighed remarkably well; — 

 and this will farther appear from a comparison of this weight 

 per bushel with that of some other corn, the product of the 

 same season and in the same town. These samples had been 

 taken by a shrewd trader, at the highest market price. The 

 measure was hard-shaken and struck. The corn was eight- 

 rowed, with a large kernel. 



One peck weighed 15:^ lbs. — 61 lbs. per bushel. 

 One peck weighed 14i lbs. — 57 lbs. per bushel. 



As the selection of the kind of corn to be planted is matter 

 of much importance, as will be seen from the observations 

 already made, I shall give the result of an examination of 



