Raising Vegetables for Canning 



1569 



cultivator is the t\velv-c-point, which has fine teeth made in such a way that 

 they will not di<,^ deeply into the soil. For hand tools, there are many 

 wheel-hoes. Besides these tools, the hand hoe is recommended, especially 

 for work close to the plants. 



It is advisable to remove the suckers that spring up around the base of 

 the stalks, for they tend to decrease the productiveness of the plants. 

 Corn is a hot weather plant and thrives best in the fullest ex]30sure to 

 sunlight. It is not able to withstand drought so well as many other crops; 

 therefore conservation of moisture by maintaining a dust mulch is 

 essential. 



An insect pest. — The corn-ear worm, or bollworm, is injurious to sweet 



Fig. 3. — Pole lima beasts, growing under favorable conditions 



corn in several sections of New York State, but no satisfactory means 

 of control has been found. 



A disease and its remedy. — The same smut that attacks field corn is 

 found on sweet corn. The following remedy for this disease is recom- 

 mended: Plant corn on soil free from the disease, do not use manure 

 containing smutted fodder for this crop, and destroy any portions of the 

 plant found diseased. 



Harvesting. — When the silk at the end of the ear of com has become 

 dried and brown, the corn, as a rule, is ready for harvesting; but this is 

 not always a relial)lc indication. If the car appears plump and mature, 

 it is ready to har\-est ; but if a person is not experienced in judging these 

 appearances, it may be best to open the husk far enough to look at the 

 kernels. They should be in the milk stage, plump, dull white — not glossy — 

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