XII. 



MAIZE. 



I. CLIMATE. 



274. Limited Distribution. — That there is a wide difference 

 in distribution of maize as compared with other cereals is shown 

 in the following table giving average production in million 

 bushels by continents for five years, 1898-1902 inclusive: 



The fact that sixty-six per cent of all the maize raised in the 

 United States is grown in seven maize surplus States — Ohio, 

 Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas — is a 

 further indication of its limited distribution. It is this limited 

 distribution, coupled with the fact that maize will produce about 

 twice the food nutrients of any of our other cereals per acre, 

 that makes lands especially adapted to the culture of maize 

 command relatively high prices. 



275. Causes Limiting Distribution. — Among the causes limit- 

 ing successful cultivation are temperature and sunshine, rainfall 

 and physiographical features, including soil. It is only when 

 these several factors are properly combined that the culture of 



