THE GRAINS 141 



hibited by law except when it is done by properly 

 accredited government experiment stations, where all 

 possible precautions can be taken and where the 

 growing cane can be constantly under the observa- 

 tion of experts. 



The Grains 

 Corn (^Zea 3Iays L.) 



For the region that it is intended to cover by this 

 work, corn must be regarded, taking everything into 

 consideration, as the one most important crop, not- 

 withstanding the fact that the corn belt proper is 

 not included in our limits. Few cultivated plants 

 have as wide a range of distribution and few equal it 

 in the number of uses to which it is put in the world's 

 industries and in local utility on the farm. It is the 

 greatest gift that the new world has given to the old. 

 Although a native of warm climates it can be grown 

 successfully as far north as southern Canada and in 

 fact in practically all temperate and tropical regions 

 where there is sufficient rainfall for three or four 

 months in the year. Very dry air prevents proper 

 pollination, so that it does not succeed well as a rule 

 in regions entirely dependent on irrigation. 



Climate and Soil. — Corn requires a period of 

 at least three months of continued warm weather 

 with warm nights and frequent though not excessive 

 rains. It will grow on almost any well-drained soil 

 that can be put in good mechanical condition. It 

 thrives best on deep loamy soils that contain a mixture 

 of both sand and clay combined with a large amount 



