320 On Indian Corny Fotatoes, csr'c. 



where the size of the plants will soon render the intro^ 

 duction of the harrow impracticable. For although 

 their shade will smother many more weeds than when 

 the intervals are wide, still far too many will remain 

 for the hand hoers, either to pluck or cut off, if the 

 previous cultivation has been procrastinated, or imper- 

 fectly executed. 



The plants should not be cut off or topped and strip- 

 ped, until the grain has attained a tolerable solidity, 

 and the milk has entirely disappeared, unless the plants 

 have been killed by frost ; in that case they should be 

 immediately cut off, or topped and stripped, to admit 

 the sun and air to the ears. Some say the latter is the 

 surest practice in high latitudes, where the sun is less 

 powerful, and where more cloudy and dripping wea- 

 ther prevails ; but others think the former safe, if the 

 plants are set up in small heaps ; and that it is the best 

 way, my experience will not authorize a decision. But I 

 do know, from actual and well tried experiments, and 

 regular accounts, that cutting off the plants saves the 

 fodder better, with one half the labour. With an old 

 sithe, crooked at the point, and rags wrapped round 

 the heel for a handle, a man will cut off at least as 

 much more corn, as he could with a hoe, and with 

 greater ease to himself. While he grasps the plants 

 with one hand, he cuts them off at one stroke with the 

 other, and by poising their buts with the point of the 

 sithe, lays them regular with great facility, for the cart- 

 ers. A wooden handle would improve this instru- 

 .ment. The plants may be set up in heaps of six or 

 eight feet diameter at bottom. After the corn has been 

 husked, three or four of those heaps, set up in one, 



