Cultural Directions. — 231 



it decidedly wholesome, almost in the light of a natural and 

 needed medicine, and consequently we indulge in it to the fullest 

 limit of our natural appetites, without ever experiencing the ill 

 effects so dreaded by the masses. 



As a farm or farm garden crop, I place it far ahead in 

 profitableness to common field corn or potatoes. There are few 

 localities in which a reasonable quantity of good boiling ears 

 could not find ready sale at 75 cents or $1 per hundred. Where 

 grown for canning or evaporating, of course, the ruling price has 

 to be accepted. I find that I can plant sweet corn closer, and 

 grow at least one-half as many more ears to the acre than I can 

 of field corn, and this even with less labor and risk, and with no 

 greater amount of manure. Consequently the grower easily 

 realizes two or three times the profits on sweet corn that he 

 would on the other. 



Sometimes I have wondered why farmers living in a locality 

 where there is a steady and sure annual demand for " roasting " 

 ears at the prices mentioned, go on planting their whole available 

 ground with field corn, which they have to sell at 25 cents per 

 bushel ears, or 50 cents shelled, while so much better opportunities 

 are offered to them in the cultivation of sweet corn. 



Soil and Culture. — Corn delights in warm, well-drained 

 soil ; and none is better for it than a rich clover sod. The plant 

 is a quick grower and a powerful eater, and not in the least 

 particular as to the kind of food. Anything in the shape of 

 plant food comes acceptable, even fresh, coarse stable manure. 

 Good crops can be grown in thin soils, if dressed broadcast with 

 from 400 to 800 lbs. of some high grade complete fertilizer per 

 acre, harrowed or plowed in. Sometimes we may plant corn on 

 unmanured land, in the supposition that it is rich enough for 

 the crop ; only to find out our mistake afterwards, by seeing the 

 plants at almost a complete stand-still. Even at this late period 

 the matter can be easily remedied in most cases, and a fair crop 

 obtained, by applying a few hundred pounds of the fertilizer per 

 acre as a top-dressing between the rows. 



Planting in hills for the purpose of cultivating both ways 

 may be admissible on rough, stony, or gravelly farm land, and 

 for farm crops ; but we want none of it in the garden, provided 

 it is such as it should be — long and narrow in shape, and of 

 clean, well-tilled soil. The drill method with corn, and most 

 other crops, gives us an increased yield at no increase of labor ; 

 for with skillful management of the narrow-toothed cultivator or 

 wheel-hoe, going twice (back and forth) between each two rows, 

 each time close to the one at the right, the entire surface of a 

 reasonably level and smooth piece of land can be so thoroughly 

 and effectively stirred, that the field will appear as if it had been 

 harrowed all over. While the plants are yet young, in good 



