320 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



varieties have usually been grown in Massachusetts. There 

 is considerable evidence tending to show that dent varieties 

 have superior capacity for productiveness, whether of grain 

 or of total crop for fodder or the silo. 



Within recent years a number of varieties of dent corn 

 capable of maturing - in Massachusetts have been introduced, 

 and, especially in the Connecticut valley, these are to a con- 

 siderable extent displacing the old flint varieties. Among 

 these the "Pride of the North" is undoubtedly one of the 

 best, whether for grain or ensilage. Many, however, pre- 

 fer for ensilage a somewhat later variety. Among those of 

 this type the "Learning" is one of the best. It sometimes 

 ripens with us, but would not be reliable as a field crop for 

 grain. It will almost invariably become sufficiently mature 

 for the silo before frost. Among flint varieties I have a 

 high opinion of the "Longfellow," both for grain and 

 ensilage. 



Soil. 



The qualities of the soil best for corn are generally so 

 well known that extended discussion of this topic is un- 

 necessary. Corn thrives upon a w T ide variety of soils if 

 the season be hot, provided the rainfall is well distributed 

 and of average quantity. The subsoil must not be water- 

 logged ; but, provided the water table is at least three feet 

 below the surface, the soil may be tolerably heavy with ad- 

 vantage. The best corn crop that I have ever seen was 

 raised at Amherst, in 1894, upon a field with moderately 

 retentive soil which was tile-drained in 18<S9. The area 

 was 10 acres, and the product was 1,0(52 bushels of shelled 

 grain and 39 tons and 650 pounds of stover. The variety 

 was the "Pride of the North," and the field received per 

 acre 4 cords of manure, 100 pounds of nitrate of soda, 200 

 pounds of plain superphosphate, 200 pounds of South Caro- 

 lina rock phosphate and 150 pounds of muriate of potash. 



Manures and Fertilizers. 

 As indicated by the statement just made, it is my usual 

 practice to employ both manures and fertilizers in raising 

 corn. The land is fall-ploughed and the manure hauled as 



