THE CULTIVATOR. 
March. 
requiring three horses to endure through the day. 
Some failures occurred where there was a rank 
undergrowth of grass, which choked the machine. 
Surface drains frequently rendered it difficult to 
cut well. About fifteen hands were commonly 
required for each machine, including driving, ra¬ 
king, binding, &c. The delivery of the cut grain 
behind instead of at the side, was regarded by 
several as a serious defect; one of the farmers 
who made the experiment, was of the opinion that 
the same number of binders could do nearly 
double the work, were they not compelled to spread 
themselves along each successive swath. 
From an average of all the experiments reported, 
an estimate was made of the comparative cost of 
reaping with the sickle, cradle, and machine. Al¬ 
lowing for the laborers, horses, and wear and tear 
of machine, the difference was found to be very 
small in favor of the latter; the horses were, how¬ 
ever, estimated at 10 shillings (about $2.50) per 
day, at a time when they have no other labor to 
perform. It ought to be mentioned that the ex¬ 
periments were mostly made on improved farms, 
where wheat was heavy, or some 80 or 40 bushels 
per acre. The cost of the reaping machines was 
about <£18 each, or nearly one hundred dollars. 
An advantage likely to result from the introduc¬ 
tion of perfected reapers, is that the farmer will 
be enabled to cut larger crops exactly at the time 
he wishes, an advantage evidently of considerable 
importance, since the fact has been so well as¬ 
certained, that the quantity and quality of the 
crop is improved by cutting some ten days before 
wheat is dead ripe. 
Harvesting Com. 
Much has been written, and more said, upon 
the different modes of harvesting corn • and while 
each method has its strenuous advocates, neither, 
perhaps, has been sufficiently tested by accurate 
weight and measure, to satisfy many who are de¬ 
sirous of practicing the best way. 
I have been in the habit for ten years, of cutting 
up and stooking a part of my corn, and top-dress¬ 
ing the rest. In a few instances have left some to 
ripen unmolested. My preference has been for 
topping—not because it was the way of the fa¬ 
thers, nor from any proof by weight or measure 
—for I never resorted to either, being satisfied 
with the general appearance of the topped grain, 
as it was brighter, firmer on the cob, riper, and in 
better condition to store away in the granary , than 
the rest. 
Circumstances may render it necessary and ad¬ 
visable to secure the crop by cutting up and stook¬ 
ing. Seasons and localities should be regarded 
with particular attention by all tillers of the soil. 
Advantage may be gained by cutting in low situa¬ 
tions, where there is danger of early frost; or if 
the farmer wishes to sow his field to winter grain, 
he can remove his corn in better season to sow his 
seed. Butin favorable situations, simply to gather 
his corn crop, and save his fodder by cutting it up 
by the roots, when it is green and full of the jui¬ 
ces, thus depriving it of the nourishment it would 
draw from the earth, does not appear to me to be 
the wisest and best course, or one in accordance 
with nature’s laws. 
I know it is claimed by the advocatesof cutting 
up, that the juices of the stalks thus severed from 
their roots, continue to flow to the grain, as well 
or better than they do in the case of that which is 
topped. Now is this true? Does any one really 
believe, that in a plant like Indian corn, with deep 
expansive roots, there is a healthful flow of the 
juices enough to form and mature grain after be¬ 
ing deprived of its nourishment? As well may 
they say the blood circulates freely in the ampu¬ 
tated arm. In regard to corn that is topped, there 
is no injury to that part of the plant on which the 
grain is formed; no severing of the main arteries, 
or taking the life of the plant: but it continues to 
draw its proper nourishment from the earth until 
it matures. 
In my view, we have more reason to believe 
that in removing the top stalks, we take away an 
exuberance, which in effect causes a greater flow 
of the juices to the grain, than that there is a 
healthful flow of the juices in that which is cutup. 
For the top having become first mature, commen¬ 
ces decaying, and there is a continual drain to 
strengthen that decaying part—whereas, if the top 
is removed, all Ihe nourishment still continues to 
flow freely to the grain. 
It is gratifying to observe that a desire for in¬ 
formation and investigation in this matter, is being 
elicited. And it is to be desired, that the call for 
experiments, in the July No. of the Cultivator, 
by II. W., of Ira, N. Y., may meet with a full 
and hearty response from farmers in all parts of 
the country—and compare notes, not of guess¬ 
work, but actual weight and measure—and that 
from time to time, until each experimenter is sa¬ 
tisfied that the grain is thoroughly dried. 
Well, Mr. Editor, I set down to give the result 
of an experiment made by myself, and it is hoped 
that what I have written will not lead any to think 
that my mind is too much biased to give each a fair 
trial. Mv desire is for facts—for correct informa¬ 
tion in the premises. 
During the month of September, when my corn 
was in proper condition to top, (that is glazed, and 
the tassel becomes dry and beginning to curl,) I 
commenced topping my corn. #On the 17th day I 
selected three successive rows, near the middle of 
my field, and counted off 20 hills in each, for ex¬ 
periment. The rows and hills were as neat’ an 
equality as could be in appearance. The first row 
of 20 hills I cut and put in one stock; the second 
topped; the third left unmolested. All stood in 
the field until Oct. 27th, when each parcel was 
harvested and weighed. I would here say that 
the weather was quite favorable for either method, 
warm and dry. 
20 hills, cut up Sept. 17, harvested and weighed Oct. 
27; weight of ears. 29 lbs. 13 oz. 
20 hills, topped Sept. 27, harvested and weighed Oct. 
27; weight of ears, 34 lbs. 9 oz. 
20 hills, untopped, harvested and weighed Oct. 27; 
weight of ears, 34 lbs. 15. 
Each parcel kept in a warm room one month, 
then again weighed. 
Nov. 27, 20 hills, cut up; 94 ears; weight 25 lbs. 8 
oz.; shrinkage, 4 lbs. 5 oz.; per cent shrinkage, 14.48. 
Nov. 27, 20 hills topped; 98 ears; weight 29 lbs. 12 
oz.; shrinkage, 4 lbs. 13 oz.; per cent shrinkage, 13.92. 
Nov. 27, 20 hills untopped; 100 ears; weight 29 lbs. 
8 oz.; shrinkage 5 lbs. 7 oz.; per ct. shrinkage, 15.74. 
Each lot shelled, weighed, and measured Nov. 
29, resulting as follows: 
Out up, measured 11 qts. 1 pt.; weight 21 lbs. 2 oz.; 
weight of one peck, 14 lbs. 8 oz. 
