GRAIN CROPS. 71 



Quarts. 

 Beans, pole, in hills, 3 ? x 4 ... . . ... 8 to 12 



Broom, corn, in hills ... .. ... ... 6to8 



Sorghum, or Chinese sugar cane . . ... ... 2 to 3 



Cwt. 

 Potatoes, in drills or hills, cut tubers ... ... 4 to 6 



Potatoes, cut in single eyes ... ... ... 2 to 4 



The Grain Crops Available. All the finer grains 

 wheat, maize, oats, and barley are grown extensively, 

 and over a large area of country ; and in their production 

 the conditions of good farming that rule in other parts of 

 the world tell equally here. The coarser grains rye, 

 bere, buckwheat, millet, &c. are also grown, but more as 

 articles of curiosity associated with recollections of other 

 lands, than for food. Rice is a grain differing essentially 

 in the requirements of climate and rainfall from those 

 mentioned. It is a beautiful grain and grows freely in 

 the semi-tropical sections of the coastal country. In 

 cultivating the richer grains, as wheat, maize, and oats, 

 heavy soil, with a proportion of clay, answers best. Deep, 

 clean farming also tells its own unmistakable tale upon 

 each crop; for, although vagaries do occur, it is seldom 

 indeed that slovenly or thoughtless farming secures 

 heavier crops than the sound system and practice which 

 European agriculturists find necessary to secure uniform, 

 good results. 



MAIZE, or Indian Corn. The leading position is given 

 to corn, or maize, as the most valuable grain in semi- 

 tropical countries the safest as a yielder, and the most 

 certain of grain crops. It is an American product. 

 Columbus found the "Indians" growing maize there; but 

 the quality was much inferior to the "corn" of these 

 times. Unless something very unusual happens during 

 the season, the farmer who sets his mind and his energies 

 to the production of a big crop of maize seldom fails in 

 his object. But there are various ways of making the 

 crop. We must have suitable seed and suitable land ; 

 plant at the right time ; cultivate as clean and with as 

 little hand labor as possible ; protect the grain from 

 vermin out of doors and in ; and use or sell it to 

 the best advantage. (See chapter on bread -making, for 



