128 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



liest and largest ears from the most prolific stalks. This 

 ought always to be done before the corn is gathered in the 

 field where there is an opportunity for comparison. 



PREPARATION or SEED. Repeated experiments have de- 

 monstrated the great utility of steeping corn for 24 to 48 

 hours before planting, in a solution of saltpetre. This ac- 

 celerates the growth of the plant, and is a protection against 

 birds, squirrels and mice, and for a while it will keep off 

 worms. An effectual remedy against these depredations is 

 to add half a pint of boiling tar to a peck of seed, stirring the 

 corn briskly for several minutes as the tar is added, till every 

 kernel is thinly coated with it. This supercedes the necessi- 

 ty of the worse than absurd remedy of scare screws. The 

 crows and other birds are of great advantage to the farmer 

 on all his fields as they pick up numberless insects, grubs and 

 worms which infest the ground and destroy or seriously in- 

 jure the vegetation. 



PLANTING. Com may be planted in hills from 3 1-2 to 4 

 1-2 feet assunder, and with from 3 to 5 stalks well spread in 

 each hill, according to the kind of seed, quality of land, &c. 

 Some plant in drills, but this is objectionable as the trouble of 

 cultivation is greater without increasing the yield. Thick 

 planting gives fewer ears upon a stalk and those of less size. 

 The time of planting at the North is usually within the three 

 first weeks of May, depending much on the season. Late 

 frosts will sometimes cut down the first leaves without de- 

 stroying the germ, but it is always best to defer planting till 

 all apprehensions of it are removed. In the more Southern 

 States earlier planting is desirable, and it is there put into the 

 ground in March and April. To give regularity to the rows 

 and facilitate after culture, the furrows for the seed should be 

 struck out each way with the utmost exactness, and twice 

 the corn planted that is required to remain. It should be 

 covered about 2 inches. The surplus plants can be pulled 

 up at the second hoeing when all fear of injury is past. If 

 the land is light, it should be laid flat before planting and af- 

 ter this, it should be thoroughly rolled. 



CULTIVATION The ground may be stirred when the 

 plants first show themselves. This is most economically 

 done with the cultivator or light plow, and if the operation 

 be frequent and thorough there will be little use for the hoe. 

 Hilling or heaping the earth around the plants should always 

 be avoided except with very heavy soil or such as is liable 

 to an excess of moisture ; in all other cases it should remain 



