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settle the point : the result must depend on the question, by 

 which method the largest number of plants can be produced 

 upon an acre — allowing to each plant ample room for its culture 

 and the expansion of its roots and leaves, with sufficient space 

 for the free admission of the sun and circulation of the air. 

 Where corn is intended to be ploughed both ways, it must be 

 planted in hills at a distance of not less than three feet each 

 way. Corn planted in rows three feet apart, and in double lines 

 in alternate distances eight inches apart, would give many more 

 plants than if planted in hills at three feet square, leaving from 

 three to four plants in a hill. The produce from a field thus 

 planted in rows is likely therefore to be considerably larger than 

 if planted in hills. Where manure is spread likewise on the 

 field, the separation of the plants, which is more likely to be 

 provided for in drills as above than in hills, where the seeds 

 are commonly thrown into close proximity, will enable their 

 roots to come more immediately at the manure. Whore the 

 corn is manured in the hills, there of course the plants come di- 

 rectly upon the manure. The land is not benefited equally by 

 manure put in the hills only, as by manure spread broadcast, and 

 the planting is in a trifling measure more expensive ; but then, 

 on the other hand, as much manure is not applied. For the 

 benefit of the land, the manure should always be spread : at 

 the same time, where manure is abundant, it is well to put some 

 directly under the corn at planting, that the development of the 

 plant at its first starting, when all its nourishment is derived 

 through the roots, and before the leaves are unfolded in order to 

 gather food from the air, may be as much as possible assisted 

 and stimulated. The largest crops of corn which have come 

 within my knowledge have been raised in drills, with manure 

 placed under the drills and likewise spread liberally broadcast 

 upon the field. At the same time, 1 know farmers in the State 

 whose crops average seventy-five bushels to the acre, who al- 

 ways plant in hills because they deem the cultivation easier. I 

 submit these facts to the judgment of the reader. 



On the culture of this crop, to which I have repeatedly refer- 



