284 GAKDENIlsG FOR THE SOUTH. 



but mucli more sugar and extract. It lias also a greater 

 portion of dextrine and gum. 



Culture. — In the ISTortliern States, a dry soil and a hot 

 season are required to produce large crops of corn. Here 

 we raise far better crops in moist seasons, and on moist 

 bottom lands. Hich, deep loam affords the plant plenty 

 of moisture and nourishment, which the corn likes. The 

 garden corn will bear very thick planting. Get your seed 

 from the north at least every two years, if you would 

 have early crops, as the earliest sorts gradually grow later 

 here. Plant as soon as the season gets mild, about the 

 first of March in this climate, or when the peach is well in 

 bloom. 



Let the ground be deeply ploughed or spaded ; then lay 

 off in hills three feet apart each way. If the ground is 

 not rich, place' a shovelful of decayed manure to each 

 hill. Fresh dung can be immediately applied to corn, if 

 spread before ploughing, and well turned in. Plant five 

 grains to a hill, and cover two inches deep. When they are 

 up, thin out to three. Hoe deeply, and often. In fact, corn 

 cannot be hoed too much for its good while young. Draw 

 the earth each time a little over the stalk. Plant on any 

 spot that liappens to be vacant, every three weeks, until 

 the first of August here, and a month later in the low 

 country, if the early varieties are used. Corn is a gross 

 feeder, and cannot get too much manure. It should be 

 soaked in a solution of saltpetre twelve hours before plant- 

 ing. A sprinkling of guano about the hill is beneficial, if 

 it does not touch the seed. Corn is much improved by 

 giving the plants, at their first hoeing, a teaspoonful of 

 gypsum to each hill, or a pint of ashes, or as much of the 

 charcoal poudrette. Cliickens, birds, and squirrels can be 

 prevented from pulling up the corn, by soaking it twelve 

 hours before planting in water, then stirring briskly the 



