CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 109 



size and vigour of the plants produced. Corn land must be 

 made mellow, and if free from weeds and grass, so much the 

 better for both the corn and the cultivator. 



Soil. Corn requires a rich, loose and friable soil; and un- 

 like those distinguished for wheat. Yet corn and wheat not 

 unfrequently grow well on the same ground; but there are 

 soils which are excellent for wheat on which corn cannot be 

 grown to advantage. On stiff clayey soils, it is never wise or 

 safe to undertake the culture of corn. 



In general, the best soils for corn are such as contain in 

 their composition a large proportion of sand. A light sandy 

 loam is highly esteemed. It has been said that corn requires 

 a rich soil of course it should receive plentiful supplies of 

 manure. It may be planted after almost any other crop. 

 Wheat stubble, or an oat or rye stubble, is a good preparation 

 for corn; but there is no preparation more suitable for it than 

 a greensward; and if the soil has become old and stiff, that 

 circumstance, of itself, is no serious objection to it* 



Preparation. As the practice of planting corn on green- 

 sward, has become very general, and is considered as a highly 

 important improvement in husbandry, a few remarks, in re- 

 ference to the manner or mode of preparing the ground for the 

 crop, adopted by many of our most intelligent and successful 

 farmers, may not be deemed out of place. 



The author of "Letters from a Father," who ranks among 

 the first farmers of the Union for his practical knowledge of 

 agriculture, has tried this method for years past with manifest 

 benefit. He says, "a few days before the planting season ar- 

 ives, the greensward, having had a plentiful supply of dung 

 spread upon it, should be turned over, and the work perform- 

 ed in a masterly manner. t I say masterly manner, meaning 

 to use the phrase emphatically. What I mean is, that the 

 work should be performed in a very careful and skilful 

 manner. 



"Every particle of the sod should be broken up and turned 

 over in furrows, dropping either flat down, or inclining a little 

 one upon another, i Frequently, while the plough is perform- 



* Letters from a Father living in the state of New York, to his son in 

 Western Pennsylvania. Vol. vi. Genesee Farmer. 



t We would recommend in addition to a liberal application of unfermented 

 manure, a light covering of lime to promote the decomposition of the tap and 

 lateral roots of the grass. The lime, if but five bushels, should be applied be- 

 lore the manure; the result will, in almost every instance, be highly advan- 

 tageous. Some cultivators prefer manuring the sward in the fall, ploughing 

 it in, and after harrowing, let it remain until spring. 



* We cannot agree with the writer in the propriety of the furrows "inclin- 

 ing a little one upon another." There is no danger in laying the furrow too 

 flat. It is certainly the best way. See article Ploughing. 



10 



