1846.] Cultivation of Indian Corn. 89 



plow but once, and that just previous to planting, as stated above. 

 This last method is in general preferable. In either case the ut- 

 most care should be taken to plow well, turning every thing com- 

 pletely under, as much of the expense, and of course profit, de- 

 pends on this. A heavy roller should follow the plow, as soon 

 after it as possible, to flatten the furrows, which is much more 

 completely done before the ground dries than after. Harrow 

 thoroughly, lengthwise of the furrows. Mark the rows one way, 

 with the hoe and line, and when planting draw the line across the 

 previously marked rows, that is, at right angles with them, and 

 drop the seed by it. One hand will generally drop for two to 

 cover. In this way, the rows are perfectly straight both ways. 

 This may, to some, seem uselessly particular, but let such reflect 

 on its advantages — more hills on an acre, greater facility for pass- 

 ing close to each hill with the cultivator, doing most of the work 

 with the horse and cultivator, and in the end cheapening the 

 whole process, and then the more workmanlike appearance of the 

 whole after-growth. 



The varieties most valuable are the Button, an early 12-rowed 

 kind, and the large 8-rowed, which is not quite as early, and 

 bears a larger stalk; also many think it not as sweet, as rich, or 

 as heavy. Another kind, a white 8-rowed variety, by some call- 

 ed the Long Island corn, is perhaps a little earlier than either of 

 the foregoing, but it is by all acknowledged to be not as valuable 

 for fattening hogs or other animals. 



In preparing the seed for planting, various steeps and methods 

 of preparation are recommended. But little confidence is placed 

 in the fertilizing properties of steeps of any kind; ammonia, salt- 

 petre, copperas or guano, pure rain water, to soak and swell the 

 seed preparatory to tarring, is all that is needed. The proper 

 place for fertilizers, or manures, is in the soil, where the roots of 

 the plant can reach it, after the corn begins its growth. A course 

 thought to be better than any other is this: Soak the seed-corn 

 from 12 to 16 hours in rain water, as hot as the hand can bear it, 

 and set in a warm place. Then, having ready some tar and 

 ground plaster, drain from the water about .3 quarts of the corn, 



Vol. II., No. 1. 8 



