624 SELECTIONS FROM ADDRESSES. 



Those who believe in the immateriality of light, account for 

 this change, by a catalytic force residing in the sun beam, 

 which induces a transformation of the sap simply by its pres- 

 ence. However widely philosophers may differ in their mode 

 of accounting for its action, they all agree that the action of 

 light is indispensable for healthy vegetation, and that the 

 growth and vigor of plants is diminished in proportion to the 

 degree of their seclusion from it. 



Hence when corn is planted in drills, the direction of the 

 rows should be from north to south, in order that both sides of 

 the plants may receive their proportion of sunlight. When 

 planted from east to west, the northern side has only access to 

 the diffused and never to the direct rays, hence the plant is 

 more feeble and the crop less abundant. 



Experiment has shown, that a greater amount of food is ob- 

 tained from an acre of land when potatoes, beets, turnips or 

 cabbages are planted in intermediate rows between the corn, 

 as the latter has then a much better access to air and light, 

 than when planted in the usual manner. It can scarcely be 

 necessary to say in the presence of this audience, that corn 

 growing in the shade of trees or buildings is unproductive, and 

 that it should be carefully avoided, if the farmer seeks for profit 

 from his field. 



I have now passed in review those conditions which are in- 

 dispensable for the production of maximum crops of corn, and 

 which operate chiefly by preparing the food of the plant to 

 assimilate itself with its substance. It now remains for me to 

 speak — 



V. Of the food of plants. I have already stated that a crop 

 of the small flint corn removes from the soil 22,546 lbs. of 

 organic, and 881 lbs. of inorganic matter. It must be borne in 

 mind, however, that every variety of corn removes different 

 amounts from the soil. Some of the larger varieties will ab- 

 sorb a much greater amount of organic, and double the amount 

 of inorganic matter, than is taken off by the variety under con- 

 sideration. It is evident to the dullest comprehension, that if 

 successive crops are taken f.om the soil, with no returns to 

 compensate for the loss, it will ullimately become exhausted; 

 no more of the proper food of corn remaining in it, it will cease 

 to grow. 



