CATCH CROPS. 63 
We add the tares because both are uncertain crops, and, as 
the same weather is not suitable to each variety, the grower 
has alternate chances of success from the one or the other 
of the two crops. Maize prefers a hot, dry atmosphere, with 
occasional thunder showers; whilst, on the other hand, tares 
like as much rain as they can get, and seem quite indifferent 
to any wet or cold during the months of June or July. So, 
should the summer be hot, the maize will, comparatively 
speaking, smother the tares; if, on the contrary, the summer 
is wet and cold, the tares will obtain the upper hand; but 
unless good rains supervene soon after sowing, to give the 
seeds an opportunity of striking root, both crops will be a 
failure. 
The crop arrives at maturity in accordance with which crop 
has the preponderance. If the tares, then in September ; if 
the maize, then in October. 
The crop should be taken off by the end of October, and 
the residue and the re-growings of early cuttings cleared by the 
flock in time to plough and prepare the land for wheat or 
other crops. 
There appears to be some difference of opinion upon the 
best description of maize to sow. Some advocate the Black 
Sea European maize, commonly known as Danubian, whilst 
others are equally as warm upon the merits of the North 
American flat maize. For our part we think it makes little 
difference which is sown, and the only point upon which the 
buyer need be careful is to make inquiries as to the port of 
shipment. Maize shipped from Montreal, New York, or other 
northern ports is always preferable to that shipped from 
any of the southern ports of North or South America, or 
from Australia, or the Cape of Good Hope. So far as other 
maize is concerned, avoid that shipped from Egypt, India, or 
Morocco. 
It seems quite proverbial that a bad hay crop signifies a bad 
