68 ON INDIAN CORN. 



those parts of the country favorable to its cultivation, yielded a 

 copious return ; and produced abundantly in many places, where 

 from its repeated failures, it had almost ceased to be cultivated. 

 Potatoes were a fair crop, and of excellent quality ; and Indian 

 corn, where it survived the frosts of the 12th and 13tli of Sep- 

 tember, yielded more than a medium produce. It is a remarka- 

 ble fact, within the writer's knowledge, that a good deal of corn 

 planted as late as the 13.th, 14th, and even 21st of June, per- 

 fectly ripened and gave a full return. 



During a considerable part of the season, a greater despondency 

 prevailed with the farmers than we remember since the memora- 

 ble years of 1812 and 1816, when the Indian corn crop, by the 

 coldness of the season and the early frosts, failed almost entirely 

 throughout New England. The farmers then felt by severe ex- 

 perience, and this year, under the excitement of their fears, be- 

 gan to calculate, the great value of this crop. Indeed it can 

 hardly be over estimated, if we consider it in reference to the 

 amount it furnishes immediately to human sustenance ; its con- 

 nexion with the great products of our farms, our poultry, mut- 

 ton, pork, and beef; and the aid which it contributes in the form 

 of fodder and grain to the support of our domestic animals. 



This ought to excite renewed attention to the cultivation of 

 this crop, which is certainly susceptible among us of great im- 

 provement. The importance of the subject will be a sufficient 

 apology for dwelling upon it at some length, and at the hazard 

 of the repetition of some former remarks. 



The average amount of this crop throughout New England 

 does not exceed thirty bushels to the acre. In a report formerly 

 made to the Agricultural Society of Massachusetts, the Dunsta- 

 ble Society estimated it at from 15 to 25 bushels ; the Newbury 

 Society at 40 bushels; the Vassalboro' Society at 30 to 40 

 bushels ; the Danvers Society at from 25 to 40 bushels ; 

 the West Springfield, at from 15 to 40 bushels. Since these 

 reports were made, the cultivation of this crop has in many 

 places been considerably improved ; and in some instances very 

 large returns have been obtained ; yet from the best observation 

 we have been able to make, throughout the New England states, 



