IMPROVED VARIETIES OF INDIAN CORN, ETC. 
4 $ 
IMPROVED VARIETIES OF INDIAN CORN. 
Having noticed in the November (1847) number 
of the Agriculturist an account of the successful 
cultivation of Brown corn by Dr. Field, I have been 
led to forward you a statement of my own crop of 
the past season, which was raised from the same 
kind of seed. 
The ground was prepared in my usual way [see 
p. 82 of our sixth volume], and planted on the 29th 
of May, three feet between the rows and about 
two feet in the other direction. The growth of the 
eorn was very luxuriant, the height of the stalks 
being, upon an average, about seven feet, and 
the ears from two to three feet above the ground, 
generally of uniform size and well filled. By the 
1 st of October, the crop was in a fit condition to be 
harvested, and was accordingly cut up in fine 
weather, husked, and properly stored away in the 
corn loft, from which is selected a fine parcel for 
seed. Previous to harvesting, I measured off* an 
acre of the field, the product of which, on being 
weighed, after the husks were removed, was 7,104 
lbs. This according to previous estimates would 
give upwards of one hundred bushels of shelled corn 
to the acre. 
I will also give you an account of another variety 
of corn, which I have experimented upon, by my 
peculiar method, although at a somewhat limited 
extent. About five years ago, I obtained a small 
ear of rice corn, with tiny grains and a cob “ almost 
nothing,” which I planted in my garden, where it 
had no chance to mix with the pollen of any other 
kind. For three or four years in succession, I 
planted a small patch, during which time, I found 
that the ear and kernel both increased in size, while 
the cob continued to be quite small. About the 
end of May last, in order to know what it would 
yield, I planted ten square rods of ground. The 
stalks grew stout and contained from two to four 
ears to each ; and, according to a fair estimate, the 
yield was at the rate of one hundred and twelve 
bushels of shelled corn per acre. Thus, in five 
years, from the most diminutive sort in the world, 
I have obtained a variety which, in time, bids fair 
to give as abundant a yield as my other corn. 
Long Island , John Brown, 2nd. 
Lake Winnipisioge e . 
We are gratified in stating that most of those who 
procured seed of the Brown corn from us for plant¬ 
ing last spring, are satisfied with the results of their 
experiments. Mr. John S. Winthrop, however, of 
Oak Plantation, N. C., writes us as follows :—“ I 
find that the Brown com does not answer at all 
here. It matures so early, that the kernel shrivels 
without filling out; at least, that seems to be the 
case with some which I planted last spring.” 
By referring to a note on p. 83, of our sixth vo¬ 
lume, it will be seen that we expressed an opinion 
that this variety of com is adapted to the climate of 
all the New England States, New York, New Jer¬ 
sey, a portion of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, 
Illinois, Canada West, Iowa, Oregon, &c. As far 
as our knowledge extends, wherever this corn was 
properly cultivated in any of the above-named 
States, the results have been favorable. At p. 
244, of the volume as above, it is also remarked by 
Reviewer, in reference to this corn, that, “ The 
seed of Mr. Brown’s crop, which he grew at Lak<> 
Winnipisiogee, in New Hampshire, would prov 
worthless in Florida. And it would be equal- 
idle for Mr. Brown to undertake to grow tl : 
Florida gourd-seed variety”—an assertion perf'cliy 
correct, and proves the experience of our North 
Carolina friend to be true. 
In order to acclimatize Indian corn in a distant 
latitude from that in which it grew, its progress 
must be gradual and should occupy several years. 
For instance, if it were wished to cultivate the 
Brown corn in North Carolina, it should first be 
planted in New York or Connecticut, for two, three, 
or more years, without changing the seed ; then it 
should be cultivated in a similar manner, in Mary¬ 
land or Virginia, from the New York seed for two 
or three years more; and finally, in North Caro¬ 
lina, where it would then succeed. If a similar 
course were pursued with the corn of Florida, in 
process of time, it could be made to ripen in Ca¬ 
nada. In either case, the character of the corn 
would change, and often new varieties would be 
the result. 
The Brown corn which was raised on the Hud¬ 
son last season, was planted about the middle of 
May ; ready for harvesting by the 15th of August; 
attained only five sevenths of its ordinary height 
in New Hampshire; sent forth well filled ears at a 
foot and a half above the ground ; and yielded, by 
estimation ninety one bushels of shelled corn to the 
acie ; which was at least one third more than the 
neighboring crops, soil and cultivation of each be¬ 
ing nearly the same. The same kind of corn planted 
on the south end of Long Island, N. Y., the first 
week in June, fully ripened for harvesting the first 
week in September, and yielded by estimation, over 
sixty bushels per acre, being several bushels more 
than - any other corn on similar soil, and equally 
well treated. 
We have an abundance of seed on hand, that 
was grown in this vicinity, which we will sell at or¬ 
dinary rates; but it is doubtful, after the change it 
has undergone, whether it possess advantages over 
our common kinds. Notwithstanding the high 
price we unavoidably have to pay for transporting 
the Brown corn from Lake Winnipisiogee, it is ob¬ 
vious, from numerous experiments, that it would be 
for the interest of many of our farmers to procure 
their seed from that source. Security against frosts 
and a prospect of an increased yield, without addi¬ 
tional labor, or cost of manure, certainly are suffi¬ 
cient inducements for them to make the trial. We 
wish to be understood, hower, that we do not con¬ 
demn the seed grown in this vicinity; but, on the 
contrary, would recommend it to be sparingly 
planted, in order to test its productiveness. Our 
own choice would be to procure the corn from the 
fountain head. For particulars see advertisement. 
Productiveness of the Catawba Grape 
Vine. —The original vine of this variety is said to 
have been procufed from the banks of the Catawba 
River, and planted in the garden of the late Mr. 
Schell, of Clarksburg, in Maryland, and has been 
known to bear nearly eight bushels of grapes in a 
single year. 
