73 



the experiments of Mr. F., and to the facts herewith presented. 



We found a field of nearly three acres of excellent corn, 

 growing upon a gravelly soil, on the southeasterly slope of 

 the hill. One acre of this field was entered for the premium. 

 Mr. Flook stated that the land was broken up last spring, 

 and upon one half acre a compost of hen manure and barn- 

 yard scrapings, valued at $10, was spread broadcast and har- 

 rowed in. The other half acre was treated with $10 worth 

 of the Stockbridge Fertilizer, in the same manner. A few 

 rows adjoining received a dressing of ashes. Here the dif- 

 ference was plaiuly visible, and showed greatly to the disad- 

 vantage of the ashes, for not only was the crop very much 

 smaller, but the quality of the corn was also inferior to that 

 raised upon either the compost or the Stockbridge formula. 



The corn was tarred, to prevent the depredations of the 

 birds, and planted in checks three and one-half feet apart, 

 each way, care being taken never to exceed six kernels to the 

 hill. It should be stated that the compost was applied to the 

 lower, and the Stockbridge formula to the upper, and conse- 

 quently earlier and dryer end. 



Your Committee selected one rod, an average, from both 

 the lower and upper ends, husked and weighed the corn, re- 

 marking that the crop on the upper end was filled out better 

 and also dryer. 



The corn raised upon one rod, with the Stockbridge formu- 

 la, weighed 59 1-2 lbs. The corn' raised upon one rod, with 

 the hen manure compost, weighed 59 lbs. 



The Society's standard has been from 72 to 80 lbs. to the 

 bushel. This would give in the one case over 131 bushels, 

 and in the other over 118 bushels of shelled merchantable 

 corn per acre — an unprecedented crop. We were not satisfied 

 with this result, and believing that it requires more than 80 

 lbs. of corn on the ear to the bushel, we determined to test 

 the matter thoroughly. Mr. Flook, entering earnestly into 

 the question, hung the corn over the kitchen stove, where it 

 remained two weeks drying. At the request of Messrs. 



