34 The Bulletin. 



the more invigorating climatic conditions of the more northern sections, 

 but from investigations carried on by the United States Department 

 of Agriculture, it has been found that southern-grown sweet corn has 

 a higher sugar content than that grown in northern localities. But 

 little attempt has been made to produce this crop commercially in the 

 South, because of the impression that the natural environments are 

 unsuited to its growth and also on account of the ravages of the ear- 

 worm, an insect similar to the boll worm attacking cotton. JSTot-with- 

 standing these apparent difficulties, suitable varieties of sweet corn can 

 be grown successfully in almost any section of the State where field 

 corn succeeds. 



The cultivation of sweet corn is almost the same as that .of field corn, 

 the only difference being that greater attention is given to earliness 

 and the development of each individual plant. A difference of three or 

 four days in time of maturity will often make a difference of several 

 cents a dozen ears in the market price. Sod of any kind, top-dressed 

 the previous year with stable manure, affords a good basis for corn 

 production, although the turning under of crimson clover, rye, or other 

 green manuring crops will give practically as good results. The land 

 should be well prepared and frequent cultivations given, to insure a 

 sufficient supply of soil moisture necessary to produce rapidly grown, 

 succulent ears. Sweet corn may be planted either in hills or in con- 

 tinuous drills. For the early crop, seed is planted as soon as the ground 

 is thoroughly warm and when all danger of frost is past. Because of 

 the structure of the seed, it is well to make the first planting rather 

 heavy to insure against a poor stand, which sometimes results from the 

 rotting of the seed when it has been planted in cold, wet ground. 



In addition to the use of stable manure or some green soiling crop, 

 corn will be materially benefited by the use of a complete fertilizer, 

 made up preferably of materials that are quickly available. A fertilizer 

 having 



Available Phosphoric Acid S per cent 



Nitrogen 3 per cent 



Actual Potash 6 per cent 



when used at the rate of from 800 to 1,200 pounds an acre should pro- 

 duce good results. This can best be applied broadcast, previous to the 

 planting of the seed, so that each subsequent working of the land will 

 hasten the development and liberation of available plant food. As sweet 

 corn is grown primarily for the immature ears, it is necessary to make 

 the growth of this crop as rapid as possible to obtain the most successful 

 results. 



Of the many varieties of sweet corn offered by different seedhouses, 

 the following are perhaps best suited to southern conditions : 



Earliest Catawba, 

 Country Gentleman, 

 Stowell^s Evergreen. 



