218 



GARDENING TOR THE SOUTH. 



as above. Hoe deeply and often while young, and draw 

 the earth each time a little about the stalk ; but after the 

 plant is six inches high, shallow surface culture, killing 

 the weeds and loosening the surface without cutting the 

 main roots, is all that is needed. 



Corn is a gross feeder, and cannot get too much manure. 

 A sprinkling of guano about the hill is beneficial, if it 

 does not touch the seed. Growth 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. Chickens, birds, and squirrels can be 

 prevented from pulling up the corn, by soaking it in wa- 

 ter twelve hours before planting, then stirring the seed 

 briskly in a vessel containing a little tar mixed with warm 

 water ; thus giving each grain a thin coat. After which, 

 for convenient handling, it is to be rolled in as much ash- 

 es, gypsum, or lime, as it will take up. One-half bushel 

 of corn requires a pint of tar and a gallon of warm wa- 

 ter, with as much ashes as will stick to the grain. It is 

 effectual against birds, squirrels, etc., while the seed vege- 

 tates freely, if previously soaked. 



The Coen-woem, (JTeliothes?) comes from the egg of 

 a tawny yellowish moth deposited in June, and after, in 

 the silk or apex of the ears of Indian corn while in the 

 milk. The caterpillar, at first scarcely visible, increases 

 rapidly, and, sheltered by the husk, feeds voraciously up- 

 on the tender grains at the end of the cob. It is thought 

 to be identical with the boll-worm of the cotton plant. 

 Injury may probably be warded off by catching the first 

 brood of moths in wide-mouthed bottles, or plates, contain- 

 ing a gill or more of molasses and vinegar. These, being 

 set upon a board some six inches square, fastened upon a 

 stake, raised above the plants, are found to attract the 

 moths from a great distance, and, alighting on it in their 

 eagerness to feed, its adhesive nature prevents escape. 



