118 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



Before treating of the cultivation of Indian corn, it may be 

 proper to inquire, if it is a crop of sufficient importance to de- 

 mand increased attention from the farmers of the county. 



Some are of the opinion, that, with the present high price of 

 labor and manure, we cannot compete with western farmers in 

 raising corn ; that, with the increased facilities for transporta- 

 tion, we shall soon be run off the track ; that we had better 

 buy our corn, than raise it. This may be good economy for 

 those who are situated near our large towns, so that they can 

 daily carry their produce to market, and can obtain manure 

 without feeding out their crops to stock upon the farm ; but 

 for most of our farmers, who are, in a great measure, dependent 

 upon the manure of their stock to enrich their lands, it is better 

 to raise corn, than to buy it. 



Taking the average price of corn for the last six years, we 

 may safely estimate, that a bushel of ears of corn is worth forty 

 cents. I am aware, that it usually costs nearly this sum to 

 raise corn ; but then it is one of the best preparatory crops for 

 all others, and the fodder is of much value. The corn crop 

 possesses some advantages over most other crops. The seed 

 costs but little ; it is comparatively sure ; it can be kept for a 

 long time ; it requires but little attention in haying time. 



The main object of most farmers, in cultivating their land, 

 is to prepare it to produce more grass. Much of it, after it has 

 been planted, and sown with grain and grass in the usual way, 

 produces but little more than it did before ploughing. Some 

 of the agricultural journals, within a few years, have recom- 

 mended turning over grass land, and seeding it down again, 

 without an intervening crop. On very low, wet land, this is a 

 good method ; but on land that will admit of cultivation, it is 

 better to plant corn, and sow the grass seed among the corn. 



Land that can be ploughed smooth enough to sow on the 

 furrow, in August, may be ploughed as cheap for corn, in No- 

 vember, or the following spring. The expense for applying the 

 manure will be no more. If we use manure sufficient to pro- 

 duce two tons of hay, we may expect one hundred bushels of 

 ears of corn per acre. The expense for planting an acre, after 

 the manure is put on, will not exceed two dollars ; the cultiva- 



