AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 29 



course of its culture to subdue his land and exterminate 

 weeds. 



Soil. A light loamy soil is best for this crop, and even 

 if sand greatly predominates it will produce good corn with 

 the help of manure. Corn v/ill not flourish on lands in 

 which clay is the chief ingredient, and which are therefore 

 stifl' and wet. 



Preparation. * The best preparation for a corn crop is 

 a clover or other grass lay, well covered with a long manure, 

 recently t.pread, neatly ploughed, and harrowed lengthwise 

 of the farrow. A roller may precede the harrow with ad- 

 vantage. The time of performing these operations depends 

 on the texture of the soil and the quality of the sod. If 

 the first is inclining to clay, or the latter tough, or of long 

 continuance, the ploughing may be performed the preceding 

 autumn ; but where sand or gravel greatly preponderate, 

 or the sod is light and tender, it is best performed in the 

 spring, and as near to planting as is convenient. The har- 

 row, at least, should immediately precede planting. All 

 seeds do best when put into the fresh stirred mould. Stiff 

 lands are ameliorated and broken down by fall ploughing ; 

 but light lands are rather prejudiced by it. When corn is 

 preceded by a tilled crop, the ground should be furrowed, and 

 the seed deposited in the bottom of the furrows. Where 

 there is a sod, the rows should be superficially marked, and 

 the bced planted on the surface. Where the field is flat, or 

 the sub-soil retentive of moisture, the land should be laid in 

 ridges, that the excess of water which falls may pass off in 

 the furrows. 



' The time of planting must vary in different districts, and 

 in diiferent seasons. The ground should be sufficiently 

 warmed by sternal heat, to cause a speedy germination. 

 Natural vegetation affords the best guide. My rule lias 

 been to plant when the apple is bursting its blossom buds, 

 which has generally been between the 12th and 20ui of 

 May. 



' Preparation of the seed. The enemies to be combated 

 are the wire- worm, brown grub, birds, and squirrels. Of 

 these the first and two last prey upon the kernels, and 

 against these tar offers a complete protection. I soak my 

 seed twelve to twenty hours in hot water, in which is dis- 

 solved a few ounces of crude saltpetre, and then add (say 

 to eig:,t qu'^i'ts of seed) half a pint of tar, previously warmed, 

 and diluted wi+h a quart of warm water. The mass is well 

 3# 



