MAIZE. 



MAIZE. 



n3st hay; and independent of this, the stalks 

 supply much valuable litter for the cattle yard. 



That part of the leaf which surrounds the 

 stalk, and adheres so closely that it does not 

 permit a particle of moisture to escape, is 

 very interesting. The peculiar insertion of the 

 leaf, together with the formation of that part 

 of the stalk covered by it, forms a cavity for 

 the reception of the rich moisture, which is 

 gathered into it from the atmosphere by the 

 leaves, and for which they are most admirably 

 formed. 



The shoots which form the ear commence 

 at the joint in contact with the ground. If the 

 soil be rich or highly manured, they issue from 

 every joint up to where the uppermost ear is 

 formed at the footstalk of the tassel. This 

 last or highest up ear is almost invariably the 

 largest, and ripens soonest. It seldom occurs 

 that more than two ears are perfected on one 

 stalk, unless the clusters of plants are very 

 distant from each other, and but few plants 

 stand in each cluster. If the plants stand 

 thick on the ground, but one ear is commonly 

 perfected by each of them. The abortive ear 

 shoots are called suckers. These are com- 

 monly removed, so far as the farmer considers 

 conducive to the welfare of his crop. This 

 should be done so soon as they are large 

 enough to be pulled off effectually. No part 

 of them should be left adhering to the stalk, 

 or they will grow again from the stub left 

 behind. 



If this operation be not early commenced 

 and frequently repeated, they become so nu- 

 merous and large in fields highly manured, 

 especially if the plants stand thin on the ground, 

 that they are greatly injured; not only from 

 the loss of nutriment, but also from the many 

 and large wounds inflicted by the removal of 

 them. 



After careful experiment in the removal of 

 suckers, I now pull none above the joint in 

 contact with the ground; and would not re- 

 move these if they did not take root in the soil, 

 and by this means become powerful exhaust- 

 ers. Although it commonly happens that seve- 

 ral ear shoots above this point prove abortive, 

 no sucker can be removed without injuring the 

 leaf which binds it to the stalk ; and so much 

 that it is commonly rendered altogether inca- 

 pable of conducting moisture. If it be not so 

 extensively injured, the receptacle formed by 

 it is so much deranged by this operation, that 

 it cannot retain the slight portion which may 

 happen to be conducted by the leaf into it. 



I am still further encouraged to let so many 

 of these abortive ears stand, as I have observed 

 that so soon as nature has determined the 

 number of ears which existing circumstances 

 may enable her to fill, all her efforts are direct- 

 fd to them, and the abortive ones immediately 

 dwindle, and finally wither; and, for aught we 

 know to the contrary, nature may cause them 

 to part with the rich matters they had pre- 

 yiously gathered, and apply this nutriment to 

 assist in maturing her favourites. 



I trust it will appear from what has been 

 advanced, that in place of abusing this invalua- 

 ble plant as an exhauster of the soil, we should 

 consider it the pride and boast of American 

 752 



husbandry, as mathematical demonstration 

 cannot well afford stronger proof than has 

 been produced that maize gathers a large por- 

 tion of the nutriment necessary to perfect its 

 fruit from the atmosphere. 



Still, it should be remembered that sufficient 

 nutriment, provided in the soil, is absolutely 

 necessary to enable it to do this very exten- 

 sively. Therefore, "let not what God has 

 joined together, by man be put asunder," by 

 vain philosophical theories and sophistical 

 reasonings. Such as, that the chief use of the 

 .soil is merely to support the plants in their 

 proper place, or that cultivation will supersede 

 the necessity of keeping the soil well stored 

 with animal and vegetable matter. 



The middle path is certainly the path of rea- 

 son and experience, and should be carefully 

 and diligently pursued by the practical farmer, 

 leaving those ideal speculations for the amuse- 

 ment of the learned. 



There is no corn crop grown by us which is 

 so certain as maize. Its diseases are few, and 

 most, if not all of them, proceed from an incon- 

 siderate cultivation. I do not recollect ever to 

 have seen them so extensive in any field as to 

 do any very material injury to the crop. 



It withstands drought and contends with 

 poverty better than most other plants cultivat- 

 ed by us, either for the value of their grain or 

 roots. It may be advantageously grown in 

 any soil fit for cultivation, not excepting blow- 

 ing sands or retentive clay. 



Still, this crop fails occasionally, especially 

 in the higher latitudes, or situations rendered 

 cold from local causes. It cannot withstand 

 grass or weeds, and is too generally planted 

 by far too late. The seed is also covered too 

 deep, as well as oppressed with clods, stones, 

 or any other rubbish near at hand, which pre- 

 vents the plant from coming up. Too little 

 seed is planted to secure a sufficiency of plants 

 after birds and quadrupeds have taken that 

 portion which even proper vigilance cannot 

 prevent. (Practical Husbandry.") 



Saving the Fodder, fyc. The tops of the Indian 

 corn, when cut off for fodder, should be re- 

 moved previous to s-tripping the blades from 

 the stalks below the ear, which last operation 

 should be delayed till near the time of maturity, 

 indicated by some dryness of the leaves and 

 hardness of the grain. The ears are gathered 

 by hand, and the husks, when perfectly dry, 

 stript off, and, together with the stalks, laid by 

 for winter fodder, while the ears are conveyed 

 to the granary. The green stems and leaves 

 abound in nutritious matter for cattle, and in 

 some places it is cultivated solely for this 

 purpose, especially after early crops of other 

 vegetables ; when planted for this object, it 

 should be sowed very thickly. Corn, when 

 well dried, will keep good for several years, 

 and preserve its capability of germination. It 

 is eaten in various manners in different coun- 

 tries, and forms a wholesome and substantial 

 aliment. Domestic animals of every kind are 

 also extremely fond of it. According to Count 

 Rumford, it is, next to wheat, the most nutri- 

 tious grain. It is considered as too stimulating 

 for the common food of cattle, and is found to 

 be more stimulating than any other kind of 



