lii INTRODUCTION. 



CULTURE OF INDIAN CORN. 



Little need be said on this subject. Throughout the great western States, the price of Indian corn 

 has usually, till within a year past, been so low that little money or labor could be expended profitably 

 in manuring or cultivating the corn crop. There are millions of acres that seem as though they were 

 formed to produce this magnificent American cereal at the least cost of time and labor. A loose, moist, 

 but not wet, fertile soil, with abundance of sunshine, is what is needed for the growth of large crops of 

 Indian corn. The rich bottom lands of the west and southwest are the finest lands in the world for 

 this grain. There are instances where it has been grown annually on such lands for over fifty years 

 without any sensible diminution in the yield either of grain or stalks. 



The case with which Indian corn can be grown, is, perhaps, one reason why there have been so 

 few investigations in regard to the requirements of this important plant. We kno\V something of the 

 best fertilizers of wheat, barley, beans, peas, turnips, and grass, but how few have made investigations 

 respecting the special demands of Indian corn. To increase a crop of wheat from 15 to 25 bushels 

 per acre, we know with considerable certainty the quantity of certain constituents of manure that will 

 be needed; but who can say the same in regard to Indian corn? If a soil without manure yields 30 

 bushels of Indian corn per acre, who can tell how much ammonia, phosphoric acid, potash, and other 

 elements of plant food, are required to enable it to produce 60 bushels per acre. 



In the hope of ascertaining something in regard to this subject, the New York State Agricultural 

 Society offer a standing prize for experiments on this culture. As the subject is one of great importance 

 to the farmers of the whole country, it will be interesting to give the rules laid down for conducting 

 these experiments, and we cannot but hope that farmers in other States will make similar experiments, 

 so that before another census is taken, we shall not have to confess our ignorance in regard to the 

 peculiar manurial requirements of the most important crop of American agriculture. 



The following is the plan of experiments suggested : The executive committee of the New York 

 State Agricultural Society, deeming it of great importance to ascertain the manure best adapted to 

 Indian corn, one of the most important crops of this country, propose to award premiums for the best 

 conducted and most satisfactory experiments with the manures hereinafter named. 



It is desired that the field upon which the experiment is made, should have been under cultivation 

 for a considerable time ; and if it has not been manured, and has been impoverished by continued culti 

 vation of cereal crops, it will be the most acceptable. It is very important to ascertain the amount of 

 phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, potash, soda, lime, &c., required in the soil for the proper growth of 

 Indian corn. 



The mechanical condition of the field must be carefully attended to, and all parts of the field to be 

 as much alike as possible. One-fourth of an acre for each plot, and two of these to be without manure 

 of any kind. It is believed that this is as small a quantity of land as will secure reliable results, and it 

 is of the utmost importance that the field experiments should be satisfactory. 



Plate or money premium $75. 



No. 1. The following preparations to be tried, each of the numbers representing one-fourth of an acre: 



1. Without manure. 



2. 4 tons of well-decomposed barn yard manure. 



3. 4 tons of green manure from barn yard. 



4. 100 pounds sulphate of lime. 



5. 100 pounds sulphate of ammonia. 



6. 100 pounds of superphosphate of lime. 



7. 75 pounds of pearl-ash. 



8. 50 pounds of soda-ash. 



9. 25 pounds of sulphate of magnesia. 

 10. 50 pounds of sulphate of lime. 



