374 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



Here then is not " book farming," but a method of cultiva- 

 tion practised for years by a plain, practical, but intelligent 

 farmer. Here then is actual experience for a course of years, 

 the very thing the farmer says he must have before he can be 

 convinced! But, reader, are you convinced? No. You can 

 not get round the experience, provided it was experience, 

 and you will take a short way of evading the matter by sim- 

 ply saying that you don't believe a word of the whole story. 



Strange as it may seem, these worthy farmers that 

 go so strong for facts and experience, and who yet deny 

 all facts and all experience that do not tally with their 

 own notions — these very farmers are fond of arguing, and 

 like mightily to have the reason or rationale of things 

 explained; and many a one of them will yield to the theory 

 who will not yield to a fact. Well, then, let us look into 

 the theory of Mr. Y.'s practice. Hear him : 



" My universal rule is, to plow my corn land the fall pre- 

 ceding the spring when I plant ; and as early in the spring 

 as possible, I cross-plow as deep as circumstances will pei'- 

 mit ; and as soon as this is done, I commence checking off — 

 the first way with my large plows, and the second with my 

 small ones ; the checks three feet by three, admitting of 

 working the land both ways. And then I plant my corn 

 from the 20th to the 25th of March — a rule to which I adhere 

 with scrupulous exactness; planting. from eight to twelve 

 grains in each hill, covering the same from four to six 

 inches deep, greatly preferring the latter depth. So soon 

 as my corn is up of sufficient height, I start the large har- 

 row directly over the rows, allowing a horse to walk each 

 side ; harrowing the way the corn was planted ; and on 

 land prepared as above and harrowed as directed, the hoe- 

 ing part will be so completely performed by this process, 

 that it will satisfy the most skeptical. Then, allowing the 

 corn thus harrowed, to remain a few days, I start my small 

 plow with the bar next the com ; and so nicely will this be 

 done, that Avhen a row is thus j^lowed, so completely will 



