78 ON THR CVI/nVAT10\ OF .MIXKD AND Gl^MN CHOPS. 



dropt single coi'ns two feet distant from each other in the 

 rows, so as to stand in single plants. This mode was 

 suggested to me by General Washington, who told me 

 he had great success in it. When the corn was ridged, 

 potatoes were planted in the cleaning-out furrows, 

 which were filled with rotted dung and closed by two 

 fun-ows backed over the potatoes by the plough. I have 

 had repeatedly 40 to 50 bushels of shelled corn, and 100 

 to 150 bushels of potatoes to the acre. The roots of 

 the corn ran into the dung and received every benefit. 

 I have never had a nubbin, as the stalks had each no 

 less than three, and the most four, perfect and large 

 ears. In weight the crop always exceeded the best corn 

 cultivated in the common way, whatever number of bush- 

 els there might be." 



This agrees with the statement of Mr. Newhall, by 

 which it appears that the corn of the mixed crop weigh- 

 ed from 4 to 6 lbs. more per bushel than the corn from 

 the unmixed lot. It is to be regretted that no statement 

 in regard to the difference in the quality of the potatoes, 

 if any there be, is not also given.* It is not improbable 

 that potatoes grown in the shade, or partly so, will be 

 founcl superior to those grown in the full blaze of the 

 sun. And although it may seem out of place in this re- 

 port, we venture to remark that the quality of potatoes 

 is much more iniluenced by culture than has been gener- 

 ally supposed — that on this subject there is much to be 

 learned — and that in the absence of information deriv- 

 ed from truth -telling experiments, we venture to sug- 

 gest that those produced under a deep cover of mould 

 will be better than those that grow near the surface, — 

 that those produced in a soil containing much decaying 

 vegetable fibre will prove more mealy than those manur- 

 ed with strong animal matter, which will be, if we mis- 

 take not, of a more soapy consistence. We strongly 

 recommend the subject to the observation and experi- 

 ments of farmers generally. 



* Since this report wont to tlie press, I have received froiu Mr. N. tlie Idler 

 wl)icli is aj)i)endc(l to liis statoiiifiit 



