CULTURE OF SWEET CORK* 



J. W. WELLINGTON. 

 NEEDS OF THE PLANT. 



Climate. — Corn is preeminently a hot-weather plant and makes 

 its best growth during the summer months. It is tender and easily 

 killed by late spring and early fall frosts, hence in the northern 

 part of the State it is a somewhat doubtful crop except with the 

 early maturing sorts. 



Soil. — Sweet corn will grow and do well in various types of soil, 

 thriving best in light soils which warm up quickly in the spring. 

 Good drainage is of utmost importance — more so than with cooler- 

 climate vegetables such as cabbage and potatoes. A gentle, sunny, 

 south slope is ideal for hastening the maturity of early sorts. The 

 prospective corn field should be fall plowed unless there is danger of 

 soil washing. 



Fertilizers.— Plenty of available plant food must be supplied. 

 Market gardeners prefer horse manure to cow manure for the early 

 sweet corn crop since the former, by virtue of its lighter and heating 

 nature, opens and warms the soil. For midseason crops, abundant 

 use of any manure procures good results. Supplemental applica- 

 tions of commercial fertilizers should be made in order to insure 

 heavy yields. Where no manure is available, corn should follow 

 clover or other legumes in a rotation and should receive a liberal 

 application of a fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and 

 nitrogen. The grower must ascertain the needs of his soil for 

 himself, the appearance of the plants and the yield thereof being 

 the best index of the soil's condition. Manure should be plowed 

 under, and the commercial fertilizer broadcasted before final har- 

 rowing. It suffices to say that the better the preparation, the better 

 the crop. 



CULTURE. 



Planting. — Small fields may be planted on a square system, 

 allowing horse cultivation in both directions. This method of 

 planting results in a great saving of hand labor, in that the culti- 

 vator reaches a greater part of the weeds. Large fields must neces- 

 sarily be planted by machinery, and allow of tillage in one way only. 

 These machines may be regulated to required depth, number of 

 seed and distance between hills and are by all means recommended 

 for extensive plantings. There are also good hand sowers which 



* Reprint of Circular No. 29, May 10. 



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