Large Corn Crop in Kentucky—The American Institute-—Agricultural Club; 
827 
as we have had six years’ experience in grow¬ 
ing and feeding it to stock, we shall answer 
all inquiries upon the subject, by giving a 
full account of the best method of cultivation, 
storing, and feeding in the March No. of our 
paper. 
LARGE CORN CROP OF MR. YOUNG, OF KY. 
As some desire has been manifested by 
several of our correspondents, to know how 
Mr. Young produced so large a corn crop as 
190 bushels to the acre, alluded to by Judge 
Beatty, in his letter published in the January 
No. of the American Agriculturist, we grati¬ 
fy their curiosity at once, by copying it from 
an exchange paper. We do not recollect at 
this moment where it first appeared, or we 
should give credit for the quotation. 
The editor of the Dollar Farmer recom¬ 
mends not planting quite so early as the 25th 
of March, for fear of frosts and chilly morn¬ 
ings at this period, even as far south as Ken¬ 
tucky ; but as there is equal danger to be 
apprehended from the excessive dry weather 
during July, in that latitude, he is of opinion 
that soaking the seed in a solution of salt¬ 
petre will bring the corn forward equally 
early and rapidly, although planted somewhat 
later. 
Jt will be seen by reference to p. 43 of 
May No. of American Agriculturist, that we 
recommended soaking corn in a saltpetre so¬ 
lution, previous to planting. We have fre¬ 
quently tested the efficacy of saltpetre in our 
corn crops; and for a late experiment upon 
this matter, by Mr. Benedict, of Staten Island, 
we would refer to our August No., p. 159. 
“ My universal rule,” says Mr. Young, “is to plow 
my corn land the fall preceding the spring when I plant; 
and as early in the spring as possible, I cross-plow as 
deep as circumstances will permit; as soon as this is 
done, I commence checking off—the first way with my 
large plows, and the second with my small ones, the 
checks 3 feet by 3, admitting of working the land both 
ways. And then I plant my corn from the 20th to the 
25th of March—a rule to which I adhere with scrupu¬ 
lous exactness, planting from eight to twelve grains in 
each hill, covering the same from four to six inches 
deep , greatly preferring the latter depth. So soon as 
my corn is up of sufficient height, I start the large har¬ 
row directly over the rows, allowing a horse to walk 
each side; harrowing the way the corn was planted ; 
and on land prepared as above and harrowed as direct¬ 
ed, the hoeing part will be so completely performed by 
this process, that it will satisfy the most sceptical. 
Then allowing the corn thus harrowed, to remain a 
few days, I start my small plows with the bar next the 
corn; and so nicely will this be done, that when a row 
is thus plowed, so completely will the intermediate 
spaces, hills, &c. be lapped in by the loose earth, oc¬ 
casioned by this system of close plowing, as to render 
any other work useless for a time. I thin to four stalks 
upon a hill, never having to transplant; the second 
plowing being performed with the mould-board towards 
the rows of corn; and so rapid has been the growth ot 
the corn between the first and second plowings, that 
this is performed with ease; and when in this stage, I 
consider my crop safe; my general rule being never to 
plow my corn more than four times, and harrow once. 
My practice is, to put a field in corn two successive 
years, then grass it and let it lie eight years—a rule 
from which I never deviate. Now I do not pretend 
that the labor bestowed upon a sod field to put it in a 
state of thorough cultivation, does not meet with a fair 
equivalent from one crop; but I presume no farmer 
will doubt when I say the second year’s crop from sod 
land is better than the first, with no more than one- 
half the labor. The best system of farming is to pro¬ 
duce the greatest amount of profit from the smallest 
amount of labor.” 
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 
This truly noble and national society, has it in con¬ 
templation to open a Reading Room at their Reposi¬ 
tory in the Park, where all the periodicals on Agricul¬ 
ture, Science, and Art, of any value, both in Europe 
and America, will be placed at all times accessible to 
the public. To citizens, the annual subscription for 
the privilege of frequenting this, will be fixed at a mo¬ 
derate sum; to strangers it will be Free. 
The room for this purpose will be constructed at the 
west end of the Repository, by laying a floor over the 
first story, reaching from gallery Jo gallery, which will 
afford a space of about 1,600 square feet. Contiguous 
to this will be the Library; and on the first floor as 
now, the Depository for agricultural and mechanical 
inventions, and any curiosity connected with them. 
It is supposed that 400,000 strangers annually visit 
the city of New York, and among these are very many 
with whom the subject of Agriculture and the Arts, 
possess the most absorbing interest. We believe a 
Reading Room has never yet been established in the 
United States, for persons of this cast of mind; and 
many books and periodicals, absolutely necessary to 
illustrate their studies, are not within their reach, and 
the want of which at times, has been severely felt. 
The American Institute will now supply this great de¬ 
sideratum, and at the same time make itself more tho¬ 
roughly known to the public. Some other things are 
under contemplation by this Institution, which, if it 
shall find itself able to accomplish, will tend greatly to 
increase its usefulness, and make it fully what its name 
imports—the National Society of America for Agricul¬ 
ture, the Arts, and Manufactures. 
In order to render it more convenient for its southern 
members to attend, we have understood that it would 
be proposed to the Trustees, to appoint annual meet¬ 
ings hereafter to be holden early in the month of Sep¬ 
tember, instead of October. We should think this an 
excellent change of time, and worthy of consideration. 
AGRICULTURAL CLUB. 
It is proposed to form a club in this city, to meec 
weekly, for the discussion of all subjects connected 
with farming, horticulture, and stock breeding. Such 
clubs have become quite common in Europe, and have 
been the means of accomplishing great good. We see 
that a few have been formed in the United States, and 
more are in contemplation; and as many persons as 
there are to be found interested in agriculture in this 
city and its vicinity, it is due to them to establish a club 
without further delay, for the discussion of all matters 
relative to their interests and advancement in practical 
and scientific agriculture. 
