156 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



years or more, and prefer to all others in sweetness and tender- 

 ness. The Mexican is medium early, ears of medium size, 

 growing quite near the ground, usually two on a stalk. The 

 color is dark purple when dried, but nearly white when in the 

 milk. 



Our Southern friends, and many in the West, prefer the field 

 varieties when in the milk to our sweet corn, and I have reason 

 to believe that their field corn when in the milk is somewhat 

 sweeter than ours in the same condition. There are several 

 varieties of what are called Joint-corn being introduced, kinds 

 made by crossing standard sorts on the Egyptian, in which 

 several cars grow on each stalk. As far as I have tried and 

 examined them they hold out some promise, but the ears are of 

 rather a smaller size than the same kinds growing naturally. 



James J. H. Gregory, Chairman. 



ESSEX. 



Statement of William R. Putnam. 



Cabbages. — The land had been pastured for several years pre- 

 vious to 1869 ; it was ploughed in June, of 1869, and part 

 planted with corn, for fodder, and part sown with ruta-baga 

 turnips; manured with a compost of muck and bones. 



In May, 1870, the land was ploughed and harrowed ; the 7th 

 of June, part of the piece was marked out in rows, three and 

 a half feet apart ; manured with a compost of barn-cellar manure 

 mixed with muck — one and a half cords of clear manure mixed 

 with two and a half cords of muck. The four cords were put 

 on the upper half acre ; this was put in the drills and covered 

 with the plough ; the ridges were levelled and the seed dropped 

 about two and a half feet apart ; the upper nine rows were 

 planted with the Savoys, using the American improved seed, 

 from J. J. H. Gregory ; seven rows with the Mason Drumhead. 



I notice that the rules of the society require the " value of 

 the manure upon the ground." I estimate my clear manure at 

 $15 per cord. My barn-collar bottom is tight, so that all the 

 urine is in the manure. The muck I estimate at f 1 per cord, 

 after it is dried, making .... 122.50 



Muck, 10 00 



132 50 



