19 



I was desirous to ascertain whether corn cut in the milk and 

 not at all glazed, would ripen. Three stalks with one ear on 

 each were cut in this condition and placed in as favorable a sit- 

 uation as possible for the access of the sun and air. They ri- 

 pened perfectly ; and to appearance became as fair and hard and 

 heavy as any ; but the experiment on a whole field could not 

 be advised, as so favorable a situation for curing a large quanti- 

 ty could seldom be obtained. I began cutting my corn on the 

 14th September, after having previously cut out the suckers 

 and barren stalks. In the field which I took first, the corn ap- 

 peared dead ; but this was occasioned by the rust, not by the 

 frosts. This corn being cut at the bottom and not suffered to 

 be laid upon the ground, several hills were brought together, 

 the stalks were spread widely at the bottom, and were tied by 

 a single band at the top. Much of this corn upon husking, ap- 

 peared of a pale yellow, and a good deal of it was soft and 

 mouldy. The shocks did not stand firmly, and many were 

 over-turned by the wind. The centre hill, around which the 

 stalks were gathered, should not have been cut until the time 

 of husking, but should have been left as a support to the shock. 

 Another field where the corn was slightly glazed and the stalks 

 very green, was cut, tied in small bundles above the ears and 

 put in small shocks or stooks. This came out better than the 

 former, but not so well as could be desired. It was cut too 

 early, and was not suffered to remain long enough in the 

 shock. 



Two other fields were necessarily left to a later period after 

 the corn had become fully glazed, that is in the main every 

 kernel on an ear was well touched, though the stalks were still 

 green and succulent. It was tied near the top in small bundles ; 

 put up in small shocks, and spread at bottom so as to give free 

 access to the air. This corn at husking came out bright and 

 sound, with less refuse than ordinary ; and the fodder was suc- 

 culent and of the best quality. 



There is a small matter connected with this subject to which 

 my attention was directed by an excellent farmer in the coun- 



