GRAIN AND ITS CULTIVATION. 127 



gon with its separate husk or envelope for every distinct ker- 

 nel. But if we narrowly watch the vagaries of nature, we 

 shall notice deviations from the matter of fact standards of our 

 domesticated varieties, which approximate so closely to the 

 most fanciful of the exotics, that we are compelled to believe 

 that all those which have hitherto come within our notice, 

 originated from one common head ; and that all the peculi- 

 arities are owing to the difference of soil, climate and cul- 

 ture, and the carefully cherished eccentricities of nature, aid- 

 ed by a skilful science or well practised art. It is needless 

 to particularise the many popular kinds of corn under suc- 

 cessful cultivation in this country. They are found to vary 

 with almost every degree of latitude and longitude ; and there 

 are not unfrequently numerous kinds held in deservedly high 

 estimation within a single district. From these there will be 

 no difficulty in selecting such as will best repay the farmer's 

 attention. 



THE SOIL for corn must be dry, rich and well pulverized. 

 Neither strong clay, wet or poor lands will yield good crops 

 of corn. Land can scarcely be too rich for it, and the fresh* 

 er and less fermented the manure applied to it is, unless on 

 light sandy soils, the better it will be for the crop. A great 

 error is committed in raising corn as with most of our tillage 

 crops, from not having the soil sufficiently enriched ; though 

 this error is diminished in the case of such as will not bear 

 an excess of manure. Corn is a gross feeder and necessarily 

 ranges over a great space in search of food. It has a large 

 amount of stalk, leaves and grain to provide for in a few 

 weeks, and its increase will be commensurate with the supply 

 of food. 



A clover ley or rich grass sod is an excellent preparation 

 for corn, with the addition of manure when required. But 

 the manure should always be scattered broadcast, plowed 

 and well harrowed in. The roots will be certain to find it 

 and in consequence of its general diffusion, the development 

 of the ear and grain will correspond with that of the stalk 

 and leaves. When manured in the hill on poor soil, it comes 

 forward early, and this induces an extension of the roots, 

 which rinding little support, the crop is limited to the stalks 

 and leaves and a small proportion of grain. 



THE SELECTION OF SEED should be made with the utmost 

 care, not only from the best varieties, but the best seed of 

 the particular kind desired. Some of the choicest have been 

 brought to their present perfection by selecting only the ear- 



