592 rOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



When planting your corn get it into as straight checks as possible. 

 It is easier to cultivate ajid to keep clean and you are less liable to de- 

 stroy any hills in cultivating. Every hill you destroy means that much 

 loss. Harrowing corn after planting destroys the small vi^eeds, smoothes 

 the ground and makes the first cultivation easier, but the tramping of 

 the horses on the rows will destroy some hills and the harrow will de- 

 posit rubbish on some of the hills. 



Blind plowing and harrowing before the corn is up is a good plan if 

 your ground is foul with weeds. You will destroy the weeds and some 

 of your stand of corn, but you will have to be the judge for yourself 

 which will give you the best results — a good stand with weeds or a 

 thinner stand without weeds. 



Harrowing the corn after it is up will destroy some stalks, but if the 

 weather is dry the damage will not be so great. If a crust has formed 

 on the ground you will have to resort to harrowing to break up the crust 

 in the hills and to stimulate the growth of the corn. 



Cultivate soon as you can see to follow the row, and do it thoroughly. 

 Don't be afraid of hurting the corn roots the first time. Cultivate deep 

 and destroy all the weeds possible; loosen up the ground and stimulate 

 the young plant so It will not be stunted and keep it growing so as to get 

 ahead of the weeds and insects. After the second cultivation you must 

 be careful not to cultivate deep or too close to the hill or you will injure 

 the roots, retard the growth and make it slow maturing and reduce your 

 yield of corn. Cultivate your corn at least five times. Plow shallow 

 the last time or you will injure your corn roots. 



When fall comes gather your seed corn about October first, so as to 

 be sure to have good seed for your next crop. Go through the field with 

 a sack, picking the best seed ears, then hang them up to dry in an open 

 shed. Don't let them freeze untj^ thoroughly dry. After it is dry, store 

 where it will not gather moisture. The attic is a good place to store 

 seed corn, as the air is dry. 



Don't gather immature corn for seed, for it is weak in vitality. Pick 

 your seed corn from your best field. If your corn is too late maturing 

 gather your seed from the first stalks you see ripening, or if on the other 

 hand, too early maturing, wait until later and then gather your seed 

 from the stalks that are still green. 



There are other things besides poor seed-corn that reduce our yield of 

 corn per acre — improper drainage, poorly prepared soil, lack of fertility, 

 poor cultivation, unfavorable weather and insect pest. The only success- 

 ful method of combating with the insect pest is by rotation of crops, not 

 growing more than two consecutive crops of corn on the same land. 



Poor seed-corn means missing hills, weak stalks, barren stalks, poor 

 stand, low yield, less profit and some times a failure. 



While, on the other hand, good seed-corn means better stand, surer of 

 a crop under the same conditions, more corn per acre, cost of raising 

 crop less per bushel and more profit for your labor. 



