the ground is ridged, the corn being planted between the edges of the furrows, it comes immediately in contact with the manure, springs up and grows rapidly the fore part of the season.  When the ground is left flat, and the manure turned under the furrows, the corn will often look feeble at first, and in growth will frequently be much behind that on the ridges; and the inference early in the season is, that the ridged ground will give the best crop, but as soon as the roots of the corn on the flat ground get hold of the manure (say about the 20th of July), the corn will shoot rapidly ahead, and the full force of the manure will be given to the stalk just at the time of forming the grain.  Corn cultivated in this way, if the soil is deeply tilled, will often keep green, while that on ridges is dried up.

Many farmers, at planting, shell the corn off the cob, and plant it dry.  Others soak it a few days in warm water.  But when the seed is only treated in this way, it is very likely to be pulled up by birds and injured by worms.  The best way to prevent this is to first soak the corn in a strong solution of saltpetre; then take a quantity of tar, and having warmed it over a fire, pour it on the corn, and stir with a stick or paddle till the grain is all smeared with the tar; then add gypsum or plaster till the corn will separate freely, and no birds will touch the grain.

The time of planting, in the United States, varies with the season and the section of the country.  In New England it may generally be planted from the 15th to the 25th May.  Where the ground is flat, a light harrow or a cultivator is much better to go between the rows than the plough.  Formerly a great deal of useless labor was spent in hilling up corn; in dry seasons this was worse than useless.  The earth hauled round the stalk does not assist its growth, nor aid in holding it up; the brace roots, which come out as the stalk increases in height, support it; and it has been observed, that in a heavy storm and thunder gust, corn that is hilled will be broken down more than that which is not hilled.  The ground which is kept level has also the advantage of more readily absorbing rain, rendering the crop less liable to suffer from drought.  The field should have two or three regular hoeings, and the weeds be carefully kept under.

In harvesting the following will be found a good plan:—­Let two hands take five rows, cutting the corn close to the ground.  A hill should be left standing to form the centre of the shock, placing the stalks round it, so that they may not lie on the ground.  After the shock is made of sufficient size, take a band of straw, and having turned down the tops of the stalks, bind them firmly, and the work is done.

Maize may be cut as soon as the centre of the grain is glazed, even if the stalks are green.  There will be sufficient nutriment in the stalk to perfect the ear, and the fodder is much better than when it gets dry before it is cut.  If the shocks are well put up, they may stand four or five weeks.  The corn may then be knocked out, and the fodder secured for winter use.