17 



The Swediih is a more hardy plant, and a much 

 richer food, than the common turnip. 



INDIAN CORN. 



The great damage fuftained by Indian corn in 1 8 1 2, 

 and its almoft general deftrudlion in 1 8 16, feemed to 

 have produced, in fome perfons, a degree of defpon- 

 dency refpeding the cultivation, in future, of this 

 moft excellent plant ; and perhaps prompted or in- 

 creafed the defire in others, that vi^heat might take 

 its place. I was not apprehenfive, however, that 

 practical farmers would yield their long experience 

 to fond fpeculations on this fubjed:. Yet it may not 

 be amifs to prefent to the Society the opinions of a 

 few eminent agriculturalifls, of the great value of 

 this plant. 



Colonel John Taylor of Virginia (whom I have 

 already mentioned) when he commenced farmer — ^ 

 perhaps thirty years ago — joined with others in exe- 

 crating Indian corn as the murderer of their lands : but 

 his experience on an extenfive fcale (planting two 

 to three hundred acres annually) has induced him to 

 change his opinion ; and not only to pronounce its 

 acquittal, but to add, that " Indian corn produces 

 more food for man, beaft, and the earth, than any 

 other farinaceous plant." Again he fays, " Indian 

 corn may be correctly called meal, meadow and ma- 

 nure. To its right to the firfl title almoil every 

 tongue in the United States can teftify 5 to the fee- 

 ond, an exclufive reliance on it for fodder, or hay, 

 in a great diftrict of country, during two centuries,* 



* Prior to tlie American Revolution, grass for hay was rarely cultivated 

 in Virginia. Their winter fodder consisted of the top-stalks, husks and 

 blades of Indian corn. The blades, or leaves, strippt :^ off when ^een, 

 were carefully cured, as we do our best hay, 



