524 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Nov. 



EGYPTIAN COH.N". 



Some time in May last, Mr. M. E. Crandall, of 

 Illinois, advertised what he termed Egyptian 

 corn, in the columns of the Farmer, stating that 

 "upon trial last year it was found to ripen, plant- 

 ed even the first of July. It is estimated, from 

 its very prolific qualities, to yield 200 bushels per 

 acre, and weighs by sealed measure, 65 pounds to 

 the bushel. This corn was produced from some 

 procured direct from Mr. Jones, our Consular 

 Agent, directly on his return from Egypt. It re- 

 quires no different culture from that of other va- 

 rieties, and in the South two crops can be raised 

 in one season on the same ground. It grows in 

 the form of a tree, and twenty-two ears have 

 grown upon one stalk, and will average from five 

 to fifteen. For domestic use it is unparalleled. 

 When ground and properly bolted, it is equal in 

 color and fineness to Avhcaten flour. As a forage 

 crop, by sowing in drills or broadcast, for early 

 feed, there is no kind of corn so well adapted to 

 milch cows, and none that will yield half the val- 

 ue in stalks or corn." 



His proposition was, that to any person who 

 would enclose to him one dollar, in stamps or 

 currency, he would send, postage paid, sufficient 

 corn to produce enough to plant, the following 

 year, from twenty to thirty acres, together with 

 the directions for planting and cultivation. 



Some of our readers acceded to his proposition, 

 and purchased the corn and planted it. One of 

 them, Mr. Abraham B. Davis, of Palmer, this 

 State, has brought us a sample of the corn, 

 stalks and all, taken up by the roots. He states 

 that he planted it on the 28th of May, in a very 

 favorable place, where the soil was rich, and hav- 

 ing the advantage of wash from the cow-yard. 

 The sample before us is about seven feet high, 

 and has four upright shoots, all having sprung, 

 undoubtedly, from one kernel of the corn. Three 

 of these shoots are quite slender, the fourth being 

 stouter, but not so large as the stalks of our 

 common twelve-rowed corn. 



On these four stems there were five ears of 

 corn, each about six inches long, not filled out at 

 the top, not ripe, and the kernels about the size 

 of the small, eight-rowed Canada corn. There 

 were beside these, eighteen ears set and silked 

 out, but no corn on more than half of them ! The 

 stalks had an abundance of leaves, and we should 

 think would make a good article for fodder, either 

 green or dried. 



We refer to this matter to show the results of 

 one experiment with the Egyptian corn, and to 

 ask our friends who "enclosed one dollar in 

 stamps or currency," to Mr. Crandall, and who 

 have grown the Egyptian corn, to inform us 

 what success has attended the experiment. 



TO HATTIE: 



THE BELOVED AND DEVOTED DAUGHTER OF THE LATE A. P., 

 DEERFIELD, MASS., U. S. A. 



"T/ze Farmer of the Valley; the Man of Pleasant Cheer; 

 Who iceathereci all the storms of lifj thro' many a passing year ."' 



Brown Autumn leaves and golden sheaves 



Proclaim the harvest home ; 

 They seem to say, "With us away, 



The spirit land to roam." 

 'Twas Autumn's boast, a thronging host 



Had joined her gorgeous train ; 

 He waved his hand, — "Your gathered band 



May pass, but I remain !" 



Winter comes soon, with glittering moon, 



And radiant stars of night ; 

 The sky abounds with sparkling crowns. 



And spangled robes of liijht ; 

 The mighty slain which swell her train 



A valiant heart might fear ; 

 But her cold hand could not command 



"The Man of Pleasant Cheer." 



Next, beauteous Spring, on Earth doth fling 



Her robe of living green ; 

 Her dews and rain refresh the plain. 



And raise to life the s:'ene. 

 "For one more strife I'll cherish life. 



And battle once again ; 

 For loved ones near, and souls most dear, 



I go not in her train." 



Last, Summer came, with fragrant fame, 



Array'd in blooming flowers : 

 And balmy June, with rich perfume. 



Reviving long passed hours : 

 In bright array, she passed that way 



With her attendant band : 

 "Welcome !" he said, then, bowed his head, 



And soar'd to the Spirit Land. 



No mortal sight can trace his flight: 



Up mounts the deathless train. 

 As morning light upsprings from night 



O'er hills of waving grain I 

 Midst shady trees at evening breeze 



The Guardian Spirits say, 

 "Yon happy band to the Spirit Land 



"Have passed through the Milky Way !" 



Angels of might, with rapid flight, 



Descend to Join the throng; 

 With music sweet, the soul they greet, 



Of liira they loved so long. 

 On sportive wing, let wild birds sing 



In joyous notes and clear, 

 Ani every June their songs attune 



To "The Man of Pleasant Cheer!" 

 London, Nov., 1859. j. e. p. 



For the New England Farmer. 



SOIL FOB GKAPE?— BARREN GRAPE 

 FLOWERS. 



I find in the Farmer several questions ad- 

 dressed to me by "W. D.," of Leominster. 



First. If it is desirable to trench a strong, 

 heavy soil two feet deep for grapes ? I do not 

 consider such a soil suitable for grape culture. 

 As a general rule, the stronger and heavier the 

 soil, the greater the necessity of deep trenching 

 and draining. 



Second. I do not lay down my vines in the 

 winter — but if desirable, those trained to stakes 

 are as easily laid down as from any other mode 

 of training. 



Third. At the time I wrote the article referred 



