CORN. 309 



Soil for Corn and its Preparation. Corn thrives best in a rich, mellow soil, 

 one that is warm and rather dry, although it will grow in almost any kind, being a plant of 

 extraordinary aptitudes. It should, however, be sufficiently moist to make rapid growth, but 

 not wet. A rich loam is best, and if it be of a dark color so as to absorb the heat of the sun, 

 it will be so much the warmer and better adapted to the purpose. Corn will not do as well 

 on wet lands or those that are very cold, like some of the strong clays, hence soils that are wet 

 should be well drained for this crop, and cold soils should be cultivated in ridges and be planted 

 with an early-ripening kind, in order to mature well. Although it thrives best on soils espe 

 cially adapted to it, yet land that will produce almost any cultivated crop can be so carefully 

 fitted that, with a selection of the variety suited to it and the climate, a good crop of corn 

 can be produced. An old sod plowed under, and especially a clover lay, when properly pre 

 pared, makes an excellent seed-bed for this crop, but it should always have a good supply of 

 manure in addition, either farm manure or chemical fertilizers, for soil can scarcely be made 

 too rich with the proper kind of fertilizers for this crop. &quot; Breeding first, and then feeding,&quot; 

 is the old maxim of the stockman, which, when applied to cultivated crops, means quite as 

 much as in its application to animals, for the selection of the seed is the breeding, and the 

 choice of soil, the fertilizers and the cultivation are the feeding. &quot;With the corn crop gener 

 ally the largest yields have always been where the feeding has been of the right kinds of 

 plant -food, and the most liberally supplied. 



A well-balanced and uniform fertility, such as is found in sod that has all the elements 

 of plant-growth, in the best available proportions, or lands inundated by rivers, are what give 

 successful results. 



The corn-plant is vigorous in growth, and like all animals that are such, is a strong feeder, 

 and will appropriate almost any kind of available food. It is said to take the place among 

 vegetable products that the hog does among domestic animals respecting the food it con 

 sumes, requiring a large amount, yet not over-particular as to the kind, or quality. 



Manure from the barn-yard (well decomposed), the hog-pen, sheep-yard, poultry-yard, or 

 privy -vault, are all used with good effect on this crop, but they should be spread broadcast 

 and well mixed with the soil. The wide-spreading roots of the plant will be sure to find it if 

 it is in the soil, and not so deeply buried as to be beyond their reach. &quot;When manure is applied 

 simply in the hill or drill, the plant makes an early and rapid growth, producing an extension 

 of the roots, which soon go beyond the fertilized portion in search of food, and find but little 

 support, hence its growth is retarded at this important period, preparatory to the formation 

 and maturition of the grain. Sometimes an early growth of stalks and leaves is made at the 

 expense of the grain in this way. 



When scattered broadcast and well-mixed with the soil, this difficulty is obviated. The 

 danger of over -manuring with strong fertilizers generally, especially those rich in free ammo 

 nia, is that they have their effect mainly in the early part of the season, when a large supply 

 is also needed in the latter part, to aid in the formation and growth of the grain. There is how 

 ever little danger of the crop having a surplus of fertility, the common error with farmers 

 being in not suplying a sufficient amount. Sod, by its gradual decomposition, is admirably 

 adapted to this crop, as it furnishes a constant supply of plant-growth, and a rich element late 

 in the season, when it is required for the perfection of the kernel and ear. It has been proven 

 beyond a doubt by numerous careful experiments that the corn-plant requires ammonia in its 

 early stages and nitrates in later growth. Stable-manure should be well pulverized before 

 being applied, and the soil be made mellow in preparation for the seed, as it cannot be readily 

 assimilated by the plants unless in proper condition to be taken up by the tender roots. An 

 animal might starve with an abundance of food attainable, unless that food were first masti- 

 cated and reduced to a condition to be taken into and digested by the stomach ; on the same 

 principle, plants may starve when the food to be appropriated by them is not in a digestible 

 and available condition to give them the necessary nourishment. 



