CobheWs Indian Com. 77 



extent of a few rows each 5'ear : however, I consider this suf- 

 ficient to form a pretty correct idea of its habits, produce, 

 &c. I always say that all farming and gardening experiments 

 ought to be tried three or four years before a decided opinion 

 be given upon them ; as the seasons vary so much, and there 

 are such varieties of soil, that a correct one cannot be formed 

 in one season, or upon one kind of soil. I always say that 

 Mr. Cobbett was premature in writing his book on the cul- 

 tivation of his corn. The first year (1828) he cultivated it at 

 Barn Elms was a fine season ; and I have not the least doubt 

 but it would ripen then well and early : but, if he had waited 

 two years longer, and had taken into consideration the soil 

 and situation, he would not, I am sure, have said quite so 

 much in its favour as he has done. After the trials I have 

 made of it, I am of opinion it will never answer, as a general 

 crop, upon a farm in the greater part of England and Scot- 

 land. Except it can be made more hardy than it yet is, by 

 naturalisation, it will never ripen in every situation and in 

 every season in which wheat will. In some of the southern 

 counties of England, and, indeed, in some of the best parts 

 of Scotland, I have little doubt but it would answer ; and 

 might be made a profitable crop upon a farm, as I consider it 

 a valuable grain for feeding cattle, horses, pigs, and poultry. 

 Mr. Hunt says it is worthless for this purpose. I happen to 

 have some rats and mice (and I shall believe them before him), 

 which prefer it to either oats, beans, or peas : I have not tried 

 them with wheat and barley ; but, if he were to say that the 

 former are worthless, we should know what to think of him. 

 In situations where the Indian corn will answer, it will be 

 found an excellent fallow crop, as no one will admit of such 

 close tillage as it ; neither do 1 consider it so exhausting as 

 potatoes, Swedish turnips, beet root, or cabbage. It is very 

 delicate when in the seed leaf; and, in my opinion, should 

 never be sown or planted earlier than the middle of May, for 

 if a few chilly nights come, when in this state, its growth will 

 be much retarded, if not destroyed. Last year, the produce 

 from seed taken out of the same ear, and sown in the middle 

 of May, was ripe before that sown in the middle of April. 

 The best manner of cultivating it is in rows, 30 in. or 3 ft. 

 asunder, and the plants from 6 in. to 12 in. asunder in the 

 row. The seed ought to be sown as thick in the row as 

 beans ; and when the plants are about 3 in. high, they should 

 be thinned out to the proper distance, which ought to be regu- 

 lated by the richness or quality of the soil. By these means, 

 there is sure to be a sufficient number of good plants to stand 



