^ ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND FARMING. 167 



DEEP PLANTING. 



WE saw recently a potato which grew at the depth of 

 twenty-five feet below the surface of the earth. This is an 

 extraordinary depth. Few things planted at that depth 

 would vegetate. The fact in this case is unquestionable. 

 The top was terminated by a cluster of blossoms^ and the 

 potatoes were of the size of small hickory-nuts. 



P. S. Another fact, which like to have been omitted in this 

 account, is, that it grew at the bottom of an open well. 



CORN AND MILLET FOR FODDER. 



THE practice of sowing grains for fodder has been prac- 

 tised with great success. MILLET is sown in May, June, or 

 July, at the rate of three pecks of seed to the acre. It is, 

 usually, ready for the scythe in about ninety days. Thick 

 sowing is best. Cut when the grain is fairly out of the 

 milk, and cure it like hay. Four tons is a fair yield two 

 tons is a small crop. 



INDIAN CORN should be sown broadcast at the rate of 

 four to five bushels to the acre. Corn belongs to the tribe 

 of grasses. Cultivating it for the grain, in rows, with every 

 stimulant of air, light, and manure, develops the stalk 

 almost to a tree form. When sown for fodder, the object 

 should be to produce it, as nearly as possible, like a grass. 

 Thick sowing will tend to do it, and each stalk being small 

 and tender, the crop will be easily masticated by cattle. By 

 good management six or eight tons may be cut to the acre 

 cutting twice in the season. The first mowing should be 

 about the period of silking. The next, whenever the 

 shoots have grown again to a proper size. If but one 

 mowing is intended, it should be permitted to stand a week 



