EXERCISE 24. TO STUDY THE NECESSITY FOR 

 PROPER CULTURAL METHODS FOR CORN 



Equipment: Spade; yardstick. 



Method : Dig down beside a corn plant in the field to a 

 depth of two or three feet and carefully wash the soil away 

 from the roots. Make a study of the root system and, 

 after reading the discussion which follows, write a report on 

 '^ Cultural Methods for Corn." 



Discussion: The principal objects of cultivation are: 

 (1) to save moisture, (2) to kill weeds and (3) to make plant 

 food available. 



Cultivation by means of a harrow or weeder may begin 

 three or four days after planting or as soon as the weeds 

 begin to come through the soil. This process should be 

 repeated frequently, the principal object being to kill the 

 weeds. Workings with the cultivator should be given as 

 the surface soil becomes compact, especially after every 

 heavy rain. 



From the time that the ear begins to form until it is 

 nearly matured, a large amount of moisture will be required 

 to supply the necessary food material. This period will 

 extend from the latter part of June to the middle of August. 

 If the moisture is to be conserved, frequent cultivation must 

 be continued as late as possible into the summer, even after 

 the plant has tasseled. A study of the development of the 

 roots of the corn plant will disclose the facts that at first 



