GRAIN. 29 



As to distance of seed in the hills there is also a diversity 

 of practice. It should be planted close in the hills for the 

 following reasons: 1st. Because it will stand stronger and 

 suffer less from the winds and rains. 2d. Because the rows 

 may be equally near and give six or eight inches more space 

 to "work. 3d. Because it is more easily cleared of weeds, 

 and there is less danger of breaking it down when bringing 

 up the fresh dirt around it. 4th. Because when ready for 

 harvesting, a hill can be cut at a single stroke of the cutter 

 or sickle, when, if scattered, a stroke would be necessary for 

 each stalk. Number of kernels in the hill. To guard against 

 depredations by worms and imperfect seed, there should be 

 from five to eight kernels put in each hill, to remain until after 

 the hoeing, but, before the second hoeing, the number of stalks 

 should be reduced to four. It is better, to have but three 

 than to have more than four. In cultivating a field of corn 

 the object should be to keep the surface as even as possible, 

 as the earth is worth more to the growing crop to remain in 

 the rows for the roots to work in than to be drawn up around 

 the stalks. And it will stand the drouth better and be 

 firmer in the hills. 



A clean culture is also necessary. The surface should be 

 kept constantly light by the plow, harrow, horse hoe, or 

 cultivator. No weeds or grass should be allowed to grow 

 with corn, as they consume a part of the food designed for the 

 corn, and thus check its growth and productiveness, as well 

 as that of succeeding crops. 



In reading the report of the Secretary of the Board of Agri- 

 culture, of a discussion by that body, on the subject of raising 

 corn, I was very much surprised at the opinion expressed by 

 Mr. Grout, (a member of the board,) relating to the depth to 

 which corn roots extend below the surface. The remark 

 to which I refer is on the 62 d page of the " Agriculture of 

 Massachusetts" for 1864, where he says : "I have examined that 

 matter myself, and I have found the roots about two inches 

 under the surface. They do not run to a very great depth." 



