INTRODUCTION 11 



than human if he tried to build up a farm when he felt that 

 his successor would reap the benefits of his labors. A five- 

 year lease with privilege of renewal, we consider a good fair 

 lease for an appreciative tenant who has first been tested out 

 on a one or two year lease. 



FOUR FACTORS DETERMINE THE YIELD 



Before taking up the culture of corn in detail, let us 

 state briefly the four factors which enter into the producing 

 of a crop of corn. They are: Culture, Soil, Seed and 

 Climate. In the first three chapters comprising culture we 

 shall ask the reader to go with us into the fields and stay 

 with us until the crop is laid by. 



In the four chapters entitled "Building up the Land," 

 we shall explain the methods followed by experiment stations 

 and the best farmers in their efforts to increase the fertility 

 of their farms. In addition to this, we give the results of our 

 own experience with rotations, manure and fertilizers. 



The remaining chapters deal with the breeding, selecting, 

 drying and testing of corn for seed. All field and corn illus- 

 trations in the following chapters have been taken on our 

 own farms during the crop seasons of 1912 and 1913. 



