116 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



crop, especially, as, when the ofFal is properly managed, there 

 is no grain which restores so much to the ground. It is a fact, 

 too, that it may be cultivated longer in succession than any 

 other grain ; and if kept dry, it may be preserved for an indefi- 

 nite period without injury. The ease and rapidity Avith which 

 it recovers from a drought is truly remarkable. Many predicted 

 during the last summer, that the corn crop would be destroyed. 

 The leaves were badly curled, and there was every indication 

 that the crop would greatly suffer. Every one remembers how 

 speedy was its recovery, and how rapid its growth after the 

 change of weather. 



As a fattener for cattle, swine and poultry, we may say, that 

 Indian corn is unrivalled in utility. The analysis of Dr. Dana, 

 as given above, is sufficient to show, at once, how important it 

 is for such purposes. As a food for man, it is extensively used, 

 though by some thought to be too stimulating. 



The most common mode of cultivating, is to plant in hills 

 about four feet apart. But our impression is, that where the 

 largest crops have been obtained, the seed has been sown in 

 rows or drills. In either case, it is now pretty well settled 

 among farmers, that it should not be hilled, as was the custom 

 but a few years since. There seem to be several reasons for this. 

 If the earth is drawn up around the stalk at the last hoeing, it 

 sends out new roots, which divert much of the nourishment 

 which would otherwise have gone into the stalk and the ear. 

 It is not unfrequently the case, that aerial roots, even, are 

 emitted from the lower joints of the stem above the ground, 

 and descending, fix themselves in the soil. This takes place 

 on a very much larger scale, if these joints are surrounded 

 with earth. If the earth is taken from the intermediate spaces, 

 so as to leave hollows, the long branching roots become ex- 

 posed to the sun, and cause the plant to feel the drought too 

 severely. 



Kelp, which washes up in winrows upon the sea-shore, has 

 been found to be of valuable assistance to maize. It should be 

 equally spread over the ground and ploughed in. 



But it was not our design to allude to the modes of produc- 

 tion. Every practical farmer is already familiar with these from 



