362 CEREALS. 



from the atmosphere by the loose dirt, it acting as a sponge. 

 The corn should be planted 95 to distance, in accordance 

 with the capacity of the soil. On good ground four feet 

 each way, with two stalks to the hill, will be a good distance, 

 or if drilled, let the drills be four and a half feet apart, and 

 one stalk every eighteen inches in the drill. It is much 

 easier to thin out corn than to replant it. Put plenty of 

 grains in each hill, four or five will not be too many, for 

 should a heavy, beating rain supervene the planting, and 

 the soil is afterward baked by a hot sun, it will require the 

 cumulative force of all the plumules to break through to 

 the surface. With a perfect stand there will be on land 

 checked four feet each way and two stalks left in a hill, 

 5,444 stalks. Allowing one ear to each stalk and 100 ears 

 to the bushel, fifty-four and a half bushels ought to be the 

 result. Yet, but few farmers even in practise realize on 

 their whole crop this amount. Drilled corn, with a good 

 stand, will not grow so many stalks; but there being, only 

 one stalk at a place, the ears will be larger, and the stock 

 will more frequently bear two ears. 



The method of planting, is undergoing a change with the 

 acquisition of agricultural implements. Though the usual 

 plan is to plant by hand and cover with a plough, hoe, or 

 drag, still there are many who have adopted one of the 

 many corn-planters. The seed is distributed far more regu- 

 larly, and uniformity of stands is secured. There are many 

 patented machines, each good in the field, and many better 

 than none. Besides, the labor saved is great, as there are 

 no rows to be laid off and no covering to be done save that 

 effected by the machine. But the farm should be level to 

 use such implements profitably. As to the subsequent cul- 

 tivation the method of level culture has, of late years, 

 proved so beneficial, that it commends itself to the favora- 

 ble consideration of every farmer. With a great heap on 

 each side of the corn-rows the plant is deprived, to a great 

 extent, of two of the necessities of healthy growth, light and 

 air. With level culture, this is obviated. Besides, with 



