112 Effective Farming 



all the kernels carefully. In all cases in which all six kernels 

 are not strong in germination the ear should be thrown away." 



52. Soils and climate for corn. A well drained loam rich 

 in humus is the soil best adapted for corn. Heavy clays and 

 sandy soils are not usually good for this crop. In rotation corn 

 does well after a grass or legume. A loamy piece that has 

 been in clover, alfalfa, or cowpeas is an ideal medium for a 

 planting of corn. 



The crop requires a long growing season, abundant sunshine, 

 and a plentiful supply of moisture. These conditions are found 

 in the corn-belt states, which, together with the soil types 

 found there, make the region well suited for corn. This must 

 not be taken to mean, however, that many other sections are 

 not adaptable for corn-growing. 



53. Enriching soils for corn. The use of stable manure 

 on land to be planted to corn is profitable. When a sod piece 

 is to be plowed for corn, the manure is often applied the spring 

 before ; it will then benefit both the hay crop and the corn that 

 follows. Another practice is to apply the manure in the fall 

 after the hay has been cut and before the sod has been plowed 

 under. In this method the manure benefits the corn crop 

 and to some extent the crops that follow. 



Commercial fertilizer is often used with good results for corn, 

 especially in the Eastern and Southern States. The formula 

 to use depends on the soil, and the county agents in the several 

 states can give good advice to those desiring information about 

 a particular type of soil. 



54. Preparation of land for corn. The time of year land 

 should be plowed for corn varies in different parts and with 

 different farmers in the same section. Some plow in the fall ; 

 others plow in the spring. Some of the advantages of fall 

 plowing are that the vegetable matter turned underneath the 

 furrow-slice has time to decay, the freezing and thawing of the 

 upturned land, if the farm is where the ground freezes, tends 

 to pulverize the soil, many larvae of insects are killed by the 



