CULTIVATION OF CORN. ' 325 



ears ; and the top ears from these were then taken and 

 planted ; and this process was continued for a series of years. 

 The consequence was, that the stalk became very high ; and 

 the number of ears upon a stalk increased from one to five, 

 and even eight. It should be remarked, that though this 

 process gave a distinct variety, yet it would have been a 

 much more valuable variety, in this case, if the lower ears 

 had been taken ; by which means the stalks would have been 

 lower, the ears nearer the ground, and hence much less liable 

 to injury, and more likely to be early, plump and well filled. 

 By the selection of seed, also, an early or late variety 

 may be obtained. Thus, for example, if those ears which 

 ripen first, are selected from year to year for seed, in the 

 course of eight or ten years an early variety may be obtained ; 

 and if those ears which ripen last are taken, under similar 

 circumstances, a late variety may, in like manner, be ob- 

 tained. Hence, in the selection of seed, the farmer should 

 consider what variety he wishes to obtain. In the Eastern 

 States, an early crop is desirable. In the Southern States a 

 late crop. The number of rows on an ear depends upon 

 similar treatment. Some prefer eight-rowed, others twelve 

 or more. All these varieties may be produced by selection 

 of seed and proper culture. 



The seed corn should be selected in the autumn, before 

 harvesting, and hung up by the husks. Before planting, it 

 is a good practice to soak it for twenty-four hours in cop- 

 peras-water or brine, as this will facilitate germination and 

 prevent the wire-worm from eating it up. 



Soil. The soil for Indian corn should be a light sandy or 

 gravelly loam. A rich dry soil is always to be prefered. In 

 heavy moist soils, it will not flourish as well as potatoes and 

 most other hoed crops. It should be planted after grain 

 crops or clover. Corn may be manured in the hill with 

 compost or rotted manure. It is much better, however, to 

 spread green manure or compost, and turn it into the soil. 



