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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACEIUSETTS
LIBRARY

INDIAN COEN

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Hon. M. W. DAVIS, of Westminster,

Member of the Board of Agriculture.

MONTPELIER:

VERMONT WATCHMAN & STATE JOURNAL PRESS.

1886.

(o 3 3. / -5

I]\DIAN CORN.

By Hon. M. W. Davis, of Westminster, Member of the Board of Agriculture.

This is no new theme, not a new plant introduced into this country
of ours for experiment. For hundreds of years it has been known
to our people, and for centuries to the people of Peru, South Amer-
ica. The colonist at Jamestown and Plymouth found the natives
successfully cultivating it. I believe it is indigenous to Amei'ica hav-
ing been found in thevicinit3'of the Rocky mountains in later time in
its original t^'pe, when every kernel or berry of its fruit was enclosed
in a separate clothing of husk, which, from cultivation, has been
thrown off. Now, 3'ou and I have cultivated this plant for more
than forty years, annually raising a crop. We have, as we thought,
carefully traced up the seed, talked of the wholesome corn bread, en-
joj'ed in past time the corn husking, etc., so much so that it would
seem at first we had a full and complete knowledge of all that per-
tained to it. But I fear when we come to give thought to the matter
there is very much we may learn that will be useful and interesting
to us. I am free to admit myself that mj^ own knowledge must, to
3^ou, at every step I take here, seem limited while attempting to un-
solve its mysteries. But I am incited to new developments, not al-
together in the stud}' of -its botanical structure and natural history, but
its usefulness and as a necessity with an increased cultivation in a wise
ordered agriculture in Vermont. Not onl}' would I try to infuse new
light and interest mingled with intelligence among the active farmers
of my state, but to interest them in the cultivation of this farm crop
in priority to any other upon the farm, except grass, and during a
few years past of drouth, it ma}' be said to be "■king." But I would
at the same time try to interest the boy who holds the cultivator, or
the girl who shells papa's seed corn, or husks to find the variegated ear,
how the plant grows, that increasing knowledge may be united with
their labor, that irksomeness be obliterated so far, in farm life.
Indian corn has great flexibilit}' of character, adapting itself to a
great variety of soils and climate, indigenous to no arbitrary time or
latitude, ranging through some seven degrees isothermal in its north-
erly line westward. In New Brunswick 46 '^ north, 45 *^ in Maine,
44 "^ in New Hampshire, 47 '^ in Quebec, descending again in New
York and Canada West to 46 '^ , and when the line approaches the
cooling influences of the lakes drops to 45 "^ until almost to Minne-
sota. On reaching- Lake Winnipeg ascends to 50 '^ , and sometimes
51 '^ , the most northern limit of its cultivation on this continent.
This line terminates abruptly on the 120 "^ longitude, west of which
it cannot be raised, and must have a mean temperature of 65 '^ above
zero at least two and a half months of each year, while in latitudes

of a much higher temperature, it adapts itself readily. While there
is but a single species of Indian corn as I have described the origi-
nal, all the multitudinous varieties in size, shape and color, from the
smallest pop corn with a tiny ear, not more than two inches long,
eight rowed, and stalks of two feet in length, to the thirty-six rowed
ears fifteen inches long, having more than six hundred kernels, with
stalks twenty feet high, requiring periods of growth ranging from
sixty days to two hundred. With us about one hundred days with
medium variet}' properl}' adapted. There is a great diversity in the
internal and external structure of the kernels. Some are smooth,
with an enamel of thick, flinty substance, sometimes known as Flint
corn ; then there are others with an indentation, long, flat kernel,
grown extensively in the West and South, known as "Dent" corn.
Some kernels grow deep upon the cob, and some shallow. Then the
internal structure varies in composition, some varieties possessing a
large amount of oil and less starch, and others vice versa, varying
widely in the amounts of gluten, dextrine and phosphate. At a glance
we see this wonderful diversit}'' as we bring side hy side the little ear
of pop corn, white, 3^ ellow, red, smooth kernel or bearded, the " flint"
white, red or yellow, eight rowed to ten or twelve, and the " dent"
white, red and yellow, from twentj^ to thirty-six rowed, with now and
then a variegated colored ear from each variety, we exclaim, wonder-
ful ! What ! all from one variety ? That little native corn plant
producing fruit so susceptible of change, almost losing its original
identity. Now the characteristics of each variety evidently'- mark
the market value for feeding purposes or manufacturing. The man
who knows the characteristics of his animals knows how to feed them,
instead of running in the old rut, believing corn is corn and a cow is
a cow.

I now come to the inquiry which you are making, and of the most
importance to you and me (though I will hint at the auxiliaries so as
to have an intelligent system), and that inquiry embraces soil and
climate, as well as system.

WHAT SOIL?

You have answered this question mentally before I write it. A
light, warm soil, inclined to East and South, rich in phosphates and
potash ; and maximum crops cannot be raised profitably on land of
opposite character or deficient in them. I say raise corn on " corn
land." But says one, " I have but one piece upon my farm adapted
to corn ; " if so, keep corn upon it. I care not if for forty years it
will require but a small amount of manure annually to keep up the
productiveness of that soil ; if the farm has not even that piece don't
raise any, for the presumption is that it is a grass farm, and had prob-
abl}' better be devoted largelj', if not exclusively, to that crop. Corn
must have a right climate, though, as I have stated, it can be raised
as far north as 51 °, but only in small quantities. It is a tropical
plant, likes light and heat, even moisture, though it will stand drouth
remarkably. I say it demands heat. It cannot be matured in Eng-
land, although the mean temperature is above New Hampshire. It

4

has been found far up among the mountains of the Alps, because
there it receives the shelter of the mountains, and the hot rays of the
sun are reflected upon it, keeping the temperature high. Although
we may have the soil and climate, it must have culture, and this
means a certain method of manipulation and fertilization. This
brings me to Nature's God where we may briefly study his unerring
laws, and b}' the aid of these drawings taken by the artistic hand
during the stages of its growth, I hope to interest the children in at-
tempting to tell

HOW CORN GROWS.

Now a kernel of corn is a very small thing, but in corn raising it
is important, an absolute necessity. When the school-teacher gave
the question to three little boys, " For what use is Indian corn most
important?" after due deliberation one hand went up, "To grind into
meal to feed the horse ; " then another hand, " To make into bread ;"
then a third hand, "To plant." That is it, and it should be per-
fectly adapted to the location and situation ; if it be imperfect we
may expect many imperfect plants, evidently deteriorating the crop.
If with a sharp knife the side of the kernel is removed, by a little
magnifying glass can be seen the proportion of oily and starchy sub-
stances. Each variety contains :

OOOQ TfO

No. 1, Pop corn ; No. 2, King Philip ; No. 3, Mexican ; No. 4, Tuscarora;
No. 5, Shoe-peg ; No. 6, Improved Gourd-Seed Corn.

The next steps are well shown in Dr. Cutting's work on Plant
Growth, and I reproduce the cuts there used.

Fig. 2.

INDIAN CORN.
A sprouted — B where stalk is two inches high.

Fig. 2. At A, the corn is represented as just sprouted, the plum-
ule, or stalk, tending upward and the tap root directly downward. In
a few hours after sprouting, little rootlets extend from the end of the
kernel that aid in the rapid growth of the young plant, and in devel-
oping the first tier of sucker roots, which are sent out a few days
later. The kernel with its rootlets thus attached may be seen at B.
A few days later the roots assume the appearance seen in Fig. 3,
when the stalk is about five inches high.

Corn roots at a growth of five inches of stalk.

This shows that when we plant a kernel of corn we set out an or-
ganized plant, containing all the phenomena to perfect fruitage, in
embryo, as much as when the nurseryman removes a tree from the
nursery." In planting a kernel of corn in the soil the shelly covering
that has protected the cotj'ledon, or grain, is moistened and softened
under the solar heat and rain. The plumule springs upward through
the soil, and the radical starts downward, feeding for da^'s upon the
kernel until exhausted of its plant food that nature so wisely pro-
vided, ready and at hand for its weak and infantile existence, and

then upon other supplies adapted and furnished for its further and
continual development. As the chick in the egg, containing all the
elements of the full fledged bird, breaks forth into existence and sub-
sists for hours and daj's, with an increased development, without arti-
ficial food, so the corn plant, after exhausting nature's supply from
the seed deposit, has in preparation a power, constantly adding num-
berless roots spongioles, each terminating with a little hard substance
at their point, back of which are mouths, so to speak," to drink in
food, as they travel in the soil, the plumule or stalks correspondingly
developing the leaves or lungs to inhale and exhale the requisite con-
stituents beneficial and injurious to its maximum developments. So
if we observe its laws of expansion, noticing the necessity of warm
showers, solar heat and proper fertilization, much of the latter ren-
dered available by thorough cultivation and manipulation of the soil,
aided in the chemistry of nature.

Fig. 4.

We see in Fig. 4 the stalk divided into spaces some six inches
apart, joints or nodes, with long graceful leaves growing out upon
opposite sides, with a hand or clasp at each of these points to give it
strength.

And in Fig. 5 at the time silk has formed, we see developed at the
axle of each leaf on the lower half of the stalk a tiny ear, the upper-
most being the more advanced in development, to the number of half
a dozen or more, always upon the concave side. These hollows are
to accommodate the reception of the ear ; the continuance of this
concavity and the multiplicity of the nodes shows the willingness of

nature to produce an ear at each of these intei'stices, and if we could
secure this full development of nature, how wonderfull}^ we could in-
crease our harvest — even five or six-fold. And here is the possibility
that is afforded to the farmer in raising an increased crop. Now sel-
dom onh' the upper ear perfects under ordinar}' culture, though at
times two, three, and more are quite well developed, showing that
here- is a study of nature's demand overlooked by the common farm-
er, which, if heeded, easily could double and treble his ordinary crop.

Fig. 6.

10

Fig. 6. The leaves have been removed to show the incipient ears
and their location, of which I have just been speaking.

Soon after the stalk has reached its full height, the stamens, or
tassel, appear ; the pistils or silks also are seen protruding from
the point of each ear, and the}^ are attached to each little cell
upon the cob to perfect the kernel, first forming at the base of
the ear and continuing upward until finished b}' the last kernel

Fig. 7.

11

upon the top of the ear, as seen in Fig. 7. During all this time
the stamens are showering down the pollen upon the pistils or silks
to fertilize or fructify by induction. By this it seems to me is shown
the fallacy recommended by some to remove the suckers, as I believe
them an absolute necessity to produce pollen to the last moment
needed for perfect fertilization. The boy with his cultivator, horse
and harness, will remember how they were covered with yellow dust.
Well, that was the life-giving principle to the perfection of the ear ;
for if the connection be cut off or hindered no kernels upon the ear,
but vacant cells, is the result. If the boy should tie a piece of paper
over the little germ of an ear so none of the pollen could fall upon
it, he would see the truth of my remark; or if .he will observe a
stalk of corn, far removed or isolated from any other in the potato *
or grain field, with no other pollen but its own to supply, and that
subjected to the wind, carrying much of it beyond and out of reach
of its own benefit, and he will find the ear upon that stalk but par-
tially, if at all, furnished with kernels. This speaks volumes of un-
written, yea, hidden mysteries concerning this mysterious plant.
These are some of the phenomena one meets in observing the botani-
cal and physical growth of a stalk of Indian corn ; the awakening
of the dry kernel to life, putting forth the stalk and root;
their gradual development, the tiny ear, the flowering of the plant,
fertilization of its growing seed — all would seem to me to give the
observant youth, the young man or boy, the lady or girl, a beautiful
theme for study ; removing the tiresomeness of labor of the farm
boy in its cultivation, or the daughter (when she beholds the full-
grown corn field standing erect with its leaves fluttering in the wind,
resembling as one has said " so many knight errants with their hand-
kerchiefs held to the breeze"), to cheer her in her domestic duties,
it would seem with an increased love and ardor for the farm. Now
I have specially made a few suggestions upon my themes for the
benefit of the young that I might suggest one factor in life's work
upon the farm that could bring pleasure, that it might afford means
to aid in increasing a higher estimate of farm life. A '.' step-stone "
to observation, if heeded, mingled with thought make many students
of nature, drawing them nearer to " Nature's God." But there is
another line of thought yet, after all, but following out the line
spoken of and suggestive, the goal of which is, How shall we raise
maximum crops ? Allusion to climate and soil has been made. Now
I would have the Vermont farmer attain the ideal perfect Indian
corn crop, aiming for the top round and realizing approved results.
To this end I would allude to some of the reputed crops of New
England that we may not fix the standard below. When the Board
of Agriculture convened at Westminster, while Prof. Collier was sec-
retary, a farmer of that place stated he believed it possible to raise
one hundred bushels of corn to the acre. The professor astonished,
said he wished he could live to see that day, just as if thereby his
life would be prolonged beyond three score years and ten. But in
that meeting it was stated in two instances that in the month of Oc-
tober, by a disinterested committee to harvest and report for compe-
tition at the fair, 115 and 131 bushels to the acre, in good condition

12

for the time of the year to crib, had been produced in that very
town ; but the exception by the professor was it would shrink far
below the 100 bushels when merchantable, or in the sprinj^f follow-
ing-. Since we have numerous reports of crops that exceed that. In
1881 upon the " Long Island farm," the editor of the Neio York
Rural on four acres raised 113.69 bushels per acre, and on one acre
159.37 bushels. The variety was " Chester County Mammoth." An-
other acre of the " Blount " variety upon the same farm yielded
134.44 bushels. E. A. Bowditch of Framingham, Mass., on one and
one half acres obtained an average of 109.25 bushels per acre. At
Manchester, Vt., a boy who sought for the prize in corn raising of-
fered by the Burlington College, produced 127 bushels at harvest
•time per acre. Now less than 36 bushels to the acre upon an aver-
age is raised upon the Vermont farms, producing about half of what
we consume; the remainder bought by money going out of the state,
out of the pockets of the farmers. This in view, with the possibility
that has and can be attained, ought to arouse and stimulate the
farmer to engage more extensively in corn raising, not only in larger
quantities to the acre, but increased acreage.

" But what system V I have said corn must be raised on corn
land, and by the use of machinery to lessen the expense. To this
end make the piece for corn one piece, if practicable, and of such form
that the rows may be as long as possible, for it takes the horse as
long to turn around at the end of ten rods as at the end of forty
rods. Now when the piece is selected there is back of all this as the
foundation of success, the necessity of keeping in mind the future
fertility of the soil, that in a system of rotation certain crops store
up without expense constituents adapted to grow maximum corn
crops ; and one of the most essential is a clover crop, leaving the
soil in the very best mechanical condition at the same time. In the
abundance of its decomposing roots the soil is charged with nitro-
gen, phosphoric acid and potash, all necessary food for the
corn plant. I find no condition of the soil so adapted to a corn crop
as an inverted clover sod well prepared, and here is an important
factor in the system — good ploiciin.g. I care not how narrow the fur-
rows, but that every inch of the ground should be turned, the depth
should vary as regards soil, and the amount of manure to be used,
usually from five to seven inches deep for most soils. No arbitrary rule
can be used. Next is thorough pulverization, a very important ele-
ment in the work ; a seed bed the air can penetrate, a soil made fine,
unlocking pla^^t food readyto be used as the corn roots in their rap-
id growth, need it. To raise this increased production most, if not
all soils require an additional supply of proper fertilizer. What this
is, and the amount and application is the desired information. A
few years ago the farmer, wishing to enlarge his crop, and being
baffled by his ignorance, the chemist stepped in and told him to
send a sample of the soil he wished to plant to corn to him
and he would tell him what it contained and wherein it was deficient
in the requisite constituents to properly feed his crop of corn, but
the chemist did not tell him what was available plant food, or could
economically be rendered so by the farmer in due season for his crop.

13

The soils of his own little farm, even, were so varied in their geo-
logical formation that the laboratory unfolded insufficient help. Then
another view by the chemist was offered the farmer by Prof. Stock-
bridge, saying, " I have analyzed this corn plant, dissected it of its
parts, and have prepared a compound, a fertilizer giving you the
amount requisite to produce forty or fifty bushels to the acre, as you
desire, only varying in quantity, and exacting pro rata equivalent
for your money. This method of fertilization far exceeded the first,
yet was impracticable, for while the professor fiirnished a perfect
corn fertilizer, he did not know how many elements in the farmer's
soil were already there in abundance, which he proposed to furnish
at the farmer's expense; besides, overfertilizing with many constitu-
ents, if furnished and applied was injurious, although this system
was in many respects meritorious yet impracticable. It left the
farmer no other alternative except the study of his own soil for this
crop or any other by plot fertilization, finding what is needed out-
side of his farm manures well husbanded and applied, and using
those only required to give him a desired crop. The same experi-
mentation is commendable, and as a rule is growing in favor among
the best farmers ; also, to apply all manures in the fall or winter, to
take advantage of the moisture, and not apply in late spring or sum-
mer, to be followed with the dry seasons, that we seem to be doomed
to experience, when there is not moisture enough to dissolve the fer-
tilizers, making soluble food in season for the plant's necessities.

I will now tell you my idea about the stand of plants for an ideal
maximum crop. As a rule in Vermont, if the soil was void of nox-
ious weeds or tenacious grass roots, I would place them in drills
from three feet to three feet six inches apart and two stalks to the
foot in the drill, making the rows perfectly straight, enabling very
thorough and close cultivation by machinery. Yet as a rule I would
recommend check-planting upon most soils. All things considered
the crop can be raised more cheaply, though not quite as large, in
perfect squares three feet to three feet four inches apart each way,
with three to four stalks in the hill, preferring three bearing stalks,
although this varies somewhat with the soil and variety of the seed,
etc. And here is a factor that is underestimated,

COEN FOR SEED.

I have said corn is flexible, can be moulded, fixed with desired
characteristics as one wishes. "While so easily influenced, I would
endeavor by isolation, careful cultivatiou, and a removal of the bar-
ren stalks and one- eared stalks, to render permanent those charac^
teristics necessary to raising twin or triplet ears, and from such
stalks I would select seed, for the same law follows here that we ad-
here to in the propagation of the animal kingdom. ' ' Like begets
like." Constant, undeviating observance of these rules would achieve
much. Mr. G. W. Bradley of Hampden, Conn., exhibited stalks of
corn containing eight and nine ears. This was the "Tennessee"
variety, exhibited at the National Congress at New Haven. This
shows the possibilities in the development of this crop by properly
assisting nature. I assure you, farmers, as I said in the outset, we

14

do not understand the capabilities of the soil we till or the plants
we cultivate. That there is a great variety of corn commendable to
cultivate I admit, yet, on the whole, I think the eight rowed has the
most friends. Select the seed with medium length of ear, large ker-
nel, straight, tight rows, small cob, nearly as large at the tip as at
the butt, grovnng small, leafy stalks.

NEXT IS THE PLANTING.

If by hand I prefer to mix the seed in lye soap and immediately
roll in plaster, preparing it at intervals but shortly before putting
into the ground. What thus adheres to the kernel serves as quite
an auxiliary in timely fertilization. Still I prefer to plant with a
machine, thinking it more sure to germinate, and likely to
drop the kernels more evenly, leaving the corn in fresh soil below
the surface so that the smoothing harrow can be used as soon as de-
sired after planting, and be continued in use until corn is six inches
high, accelerating the growth and rendering cultivation more easy.
Again, if desired to use some active fertilizer in hill, there are plant-
ers that will faithfully do it in quantities as desired, and in a man-
ner not to injure the germ of the seed. This method increases the
growth and advances the time of maturity, and if the soil of the field
has a ready, full supply of food requisite and in condition to per-
fectly continue the growth, a fine crop is assured. No doubt
that the best fertilizer is barnyard manure of the best qual-
ity, as it holds the food in a slow yielding grasp, of a large vegetable
quantity of matter, to resist drouth. Yet often it can be, as I have
said, supplemented by aid of concentrated food during the early
growth, that no stunt may be allowed to the crop. I again assert
that constant stirring of the soil is fertilizing the crop, so I would
run the best cultivator, horse-hoe, or any other machine by whatever
name that does the most efficient work in place of the hand hoe, and
continue to use it as long as the corn was not broken down bypass-
ing through it ; not too deep or too near the hill, but keep all the
weeds and grass eradicated, clean culture and tolerably level, though
in " quack grass " localities there is no objection to covering the
grass up around the hill, serving as a mulch, and my experience is
that it is advantageous to the crop. A boy of fifteen can
tend forty acres with one horse with the foot cultivator or
sulky. Then comes the

CUTTING UP COEN.

Here comes another important era in this industry of corn raising,
by experience. I have learned, and am going to say to you, that I
can raise corn for the fodder. As I am a producer of milk, I have
learned that an acre of corn fodder is equal to a good fair acre of
grass, and when I plow up such a piece of land I am not diminish-
ing my hay crop; and yet it is just as necessary to cut it at the right
time as it is my grass, and by so doing I have learned another fact
— that the corn is better. As soon as the majority of the ears are
specked or glazed, even if many are in the milk, seldom a husk
turned white. I cut it as fast as possible, five rows into one of

15

stocks, in good corn, setting around every other hill uncut, making
about fifteen hills in a stook, well set, equally, around and close up
to the hill with an inclination jusst enough to give stability and firm-
ness to its standing posture ; then, with a good band of rye straw,
turn well over the top and bind firmly. Be sure it is erect, giving
the ends a certain twist and it will stay as long as desired, much
longer than when the end is tucked under, and it binds much more
closely. If the work is well done it will stand until winter ; not one
in a thousand will fall down. Put up in this way it resists the
storms until harvested, is green, succulent, and readily eaten by all
stock. In good weather, in about three weeks from the time of cut-
ting, it will be ready for husking. If the sap is not dried out
sufficient to pack the fodder in safety, alternate layers of straw or
hay will prevent its moulding, after which pack in large bulk, evenly
as you would hay, and there is no trouble in keeping. I find it
equal, if not worth more, than the best hay in producing milk, and
I have stated, and again state, that I kept ten two-year-old steers
upon eleven acres of matured corn fodder nearly through the win-
ter, and they were so well kept that they went the first of July fol-
lowing for beef ; and it is the practice of the farmers upon the river
to take to winter two-year-old steers, (the usual price being ten
dollars a head) and keep thein exclusively on corn fodder and straw.
Some of them go for beef before turned out, the remainder for early
beef. Now one of the reasons why I shall urge the farmers to increase
their corn crop is for fodder, increasing the keeping capacity of their
farms, and often enabling them to sell the best hay at a good price,
feeding that unsalable corn fodder, really the best forage on the farm.
The introduction of the silo and the soiling crop is fast showing the
farmer the value of this corn plant. Then again the most potent
consideration I urge in increasing the corn crop is to save this terri-
ble outlay for Western com, when the large majority of farmers in
Vermont can raise it cheaper than they can buy it. We generated
this habit of purchasing grain during the war, going to the mill and
depot, often getting it charged, bag after bag, until a frightful bill
made its appearance. Farms deteriorated, indebtedness rolled upon
us, and we were reminded of the necessity of being a more self-
sustaining people. We must buy less and sell more, and this is one
of the important steps to be taken. When I interviewed Ex-Gov.
Smith, who kindly requested his clerks to give me a summary of
what Western corn they bring into the state, he stated it was about
one-half of the whole quantity imported. This would give an aggre-
gate of 2,182,642. Now we raise 2,014,271 bushels. Then if the
35,000 farms in Vermont would increase the productiveness of their
farms in this one crop by raising sixty bushels more than now upon
each farm, we would wipe out this outlay, besides increasing
the forage crop for our stock, could keep more stock, making
more manure, enriching our farms, and building up the strength of
our agriculture. To this end I have urged the farmers to raise more
com, corn in all forms for maturity, soiling or silo, or all, as the farm
presents proper facilities. With an increasing dry climate, with the
future agricultural prosperity of Vermont hinged upon the cultiva-

16

tion of this plant, that as our pastures are sensibly failing in their
productiveness, striking a vital blow against successful dairy hus-
bandry, apparently the leading industry for the future, the culti-
vation of this plant to supplement the pasture is very important,
and growing in favor each and every year ; and then fodder corn for
fall and winter feeding is highly prized, as so much can be raised
upon the acre ; then the raising of it for ensilage has been found to
be a great discovery. No new system with such a wide departure
from the old custom has been so universally approved when tested.
These many methods in which com can be raised to a profit ought
to inspire the Vermont farmer to increase its cultivation, thereby
adding to individual prosperity and to the whole state a financial
revolution — one million two hundred seventy-nine thousand five
hundred and eighty five dollars annually ($1,279,585) — saying noth-
ing of doubling the amount of our stover for stock food, all reserved
to build up our noble state. Now, in conclusion, let me say we may
prepare a nice seed bed, and introduce fine seed at the right time
into the soil. It comes quickly, but

THE CROW.

As I treat him different from many, what I shall say may be an
innovation upon the practice of the general farmer. In raising com
it is very essential to me that the crow accompany me : he is my
friend, and I form a copartnership with him ; nature and myself find
the capital and he puts in work in offset. I say the farmers' friend,
a friend to the agriculturist. I never disturb him to injure. Though
he has his faults, yet his virtues far exceed his vices. His music
does not strike the musical ear pleasantly, yet remember he is a
scavenger, a glutton ; don't forget his consumption of the grasshop-
per, the grub, the cut- worm, the potato bug, the decaying animals;
please give him credit for all this. "Now," says the crow hater,
" what about pulling com ? If you wish to raise a maximum crop,
do you wish to have one hill in ten pulled by the crow?"
No ; I have been for twenty-four years raising from fifteen to thirty
acres annually, and, all told, I never had one-fourth of an acre pulled
up by the crows. "Well," says the crow-hater, "how do you keep
them off ? " I don't do that ; I invite them on to my field by sow-
ing com over the surface, four quarts to the acre, and when the cut-
worms and grubs are not plenty enough they will take a little corn.
Sow as soon as done planting ; and you may take the poorest corn
you have, even rat eaten from the bottom of the corn bin ; he is not
particular; all he wants is enough. Now, for the comfort of those
who swear eternal vengeance on my friend crow, erecting all the
scarecrows imaginable from twine, wind-mills and hoop-skirts, even
hunting their young Sundays, let them try one more remedy. I will
relate an incident which it is said occurred in Cattaraugus county,
N. T., of a man who found his ideal image of the most hideous per-
son he could imagine and proceeded to construct it. When com-
pleted he started to the field, as a last resort to keep the " pesky "
crows out of his field, and the crows began to make an unusual
noise, and in a few days they returned the corn they pulled that
year and part they pulled the year before.

?w

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