332 



PLANTING LIST 



is the cutworm, against which use baits before the plants are up. 

 Sow tall kinds in hills, two feet by four, and thin to three or four 

 plants. Short kinds may be grown in rows, about three feet apart, 

 the plants nine to twelve inches apart in the rows. Cultivate often, 

 but not deeply, and feed well, with root dressing. If the smut 

 appears, swelling and blackening the kernels, the affected ears should 

 be burned. The corn is not ready for the table until the silk is 

 shriveled and dry; the ears should be well filled out to the tip. 

 If only one variety is grown, and the ears are uniform, plump, and 

 regular, seed may be saved for next year's planting. For this pur- 

 pose, let the ears 

 ripen on the stalk ; 

 dry, and store in a 

 cool, dry garret 

 out of reach of 

 mice. 



Corn may be 

 started in frames, 

 and planted out 

 in late May. In 

 the open I always 

 risk an April sow- 

 ing, and plant 

 every two weeks 

 until the middle of 

 June, or later. 



Field corn is often very successfully grown by boys. For this 

 purpose test seed as described in the chapter on the subject. Soils 

 should be fertilized with special fertilizer, and if possible manured. 

 Plant the hills four feet by two. Cultivate as often as it rains, and 

 at least weekly through a drought, keeping account of the time 

 spent. All accounts should be carefully kept of such a project as 

 this. The corn, when ripe, should be kept in the ear, and good ears 

 graded out for next year's use. Ten of the best, carefully chosen 

 for regularity of rows, fullness of both tip and butt, and evenness 

 and depth of kernels, should be chosen for exhibition purposes. 



FIG. 184. CORN SMUT. 

 Watch for it and destroy it. 



