27G 



MAIZE. 



go between tlie rows than the plough. Formerly a great deal of 

 useless labor was spent in hilling up corn ; in dry seasons this 

 was worse than useless. The earth hauled round the stalk does 

 not assist its growth, nor aid in holding it up ; the brace roots, 

 which come out as the stalk increases in height, support it ; and 

 ifc has been observed, that in a heavy storm and thunder gust, 

 corn that is hilled will be broken down more than that which is 

 not hilled. The ground which is kept level has also the advantage 

 of more readily absorbing rain, rendering the crop less liable to 

 suffer from drought. The field should have two or three regular 

 hoeings, and the weeds be carefully kept under. 



In harvesting the following wdll be found a good plan : — Let two 

 hands take five rows, cutting the corn close to the ground. A 

 hill should be left standing to form the centre of the shock, placing 

 the stalks round it, so that they may not lie on the gTound. After 

 the shock is made of sufficient size, take a band of straw, and hav- 

 ing turned down the tops of the stalks, bind them firmly, and the 

 work is done. 



Maize may Se cut as soon as the centre of the grain is glazed, 

 even if the stalks are green. There will be sufficient nutriment 

 in the stalk to perfect the ear, and the fodder is much better than 

 when it gets dry before it is cut. If the shocks are well put up, 

 they may stand four or five weeks. The corn may then be knocked 

 out, and the fodder secured for winter use. 



The report of the Ohio Board of Agriculture for 1849, contains 

 many interesting statements in reference to maize culture, made 

 by the officers of numerous county agricultural societies. In 

 Miami county, 2,030,670 bushels were grown, at an average yield 

 of fifty-five bushels per acre. Three varieties are cultivated : the 

 common gourd seed, for cattle ; the yellow Kentucky, for hogs and 

 distilling ; and the white, for grinding and exportation. According 

 to the returns from Glreen county, which produced 1,250,000 

 bushels of corn in 1849, " a regular rotation of clover, corn, w^heat, 

 and clover again, is best for corn ; and no crop pays better for extra 

 culture." The Harrison county Agricultural Society reports the 

 pork crop at 4,800,000 pounds ; and it gave its first premium for 

 corn to Mr. S. B. Lukens, whose statement is as follows : — 



" The ground had heen in meadow ten years, was ploughed six inches deep 

 ahout the middle of April, was harrowed twice over on the 9th May, and 

 planted on the 11th four feet by two feet. It came up well, was cultivated and 

 thinned when ten inches high ; three stalks were left in a hill. About two 

 weeks afterward it was again cultivated, and the suckers pulled off. About the 

 last of June it was again cultivated, making three times the same way, as it 

 •was laid oS but one way. 



d. c. 



Expense of cultui-e, gathering, and cribbing, was . 17 10 

 Produce of 374| bushels, at 31 J cents . . . 117 10 



Profit on three acres . . . . . 100 00 



The evidence on which a premium was awarded was such ats 

 should satisfy any one that 374 bushels were grown on three acres 



