PRACTICAL PAPERS— CULTIVATION OF CORN. 
349 
planted with corn, and it is supposed do not detract much from 
the growth or yield of the crop ; but one thing is certain, if 
they do no injury in this respect, the vines do interfere with 
the full and complete cultivation of the land ; and it seems to 
me, that whatever nourishment is necessary to grow the pump¬ 
kin, is taken from the soil, and it necessarily must take away 
from the corn so much strength required for its support. It is a 
good plan to plant two or three rows of potatoes upon the four 
sides of the corn field, planting the hills in line with the rows 
of corn, as it saves considerable destruction of the crop by the 
horse an 1 cultivator when turning about. When the stalks 
are of sufficient height, the hills should be thoroughly exam¬ 
ined, and only three stalks of the larger varieties, and not 
more than four of the smaller varieties be allowed to mature. 
The crop will be larger and better for the trouble taken in this 
respect. The “ Sand ford,” and many other kinds of com 
sends forth small shoots or suckers, to a very great extent, and 
many farmers are in the habit of pulling, or breaking them off, 
believing that they hinder the corn from maturing early, as 
well as lessen the amount grown. In the year 1869, I selected 
two and a half acres, from which I took off the suckers, and 
compared them with the adjoining two and a half acres in the 
same field, upon which the suckers were allowed to grow. 
Both were manured, planted, cultivated and handled alike, and 
upon actual measurement of the yield of corn, the difference 
was greatly in favor of the field ii: which the suckers were al¬ 
lowed to grow. It had the most corn, the most fodder, and 
there was no' perceptable difference as to the number of nub¬ 
bins. Of twenty farmers advising, half said let the suckers 
grow, and the other half said, take them off ; a fair exhibition 
of how little we know about farming. 
When the corn has reached the glazing point, the field should 
be examined from time to time, and the best, most mature ears 
selected for seed, plaited'together and hung away in some safe 
and dry place to become thoroughly hardened. The best ears 
should also be selected when husked, as in a large field manv 
