Corn 



1711 



HARVESTING 



In much of New York State the husking of corn has fallen into 

 disuse and the whole crop is being handled through the silo — a 

 change that is in the direction of economy and ethciency. The 

 most common mistake is to ensilo while still too immature. The 

 proper period is when the earlier ears are dented and the lower* 

 leaves are turning yellow, for these are the signs of maturity in 

 the corn plant. Some of the medium dent varieties like Pride of 

 the North and Leaming are best adapted for silo purposes in New 

 York, but for husking it will be well to cling to our old State corn, 

 the early flints which by long years have become adapted to our 

 climate. 



Fig. 123. Root Distribution of Corn at Silking Time 



INSECTS AND DISEASE 



Fortunately and strangely, corn has developed few insect 

 pests and only one fungous trouble. It has no enemy so serious as 

 smut and rust in oats and wheat, or the Hessian fly. Smut in 

 com is a fungus rarely prevalent enough to do serious damage. 

 The large white grub — the larva of the June beetle — is the 

 most serious insect enemy in New York. Occasionally cut-worms 

 and rarely grass-hoppers do some damage. Frost and drought 

 atiU remain its main foe^. 



