EXERCISE 2 

 A FIELD LESSON ON THE STUDY OF CORN 



Object. To observe field conditions that affect yield 

 of corn. 



Explanation. There is a wide range in the yield of corn 

 to the acre, not only in different states and counties, but in 

 fields adjacent to each other. Close observation in the field 

 shows that in many case the stand of corn is not good; 

 that is, there are many vacant places, and the corn is 

 unevenly distributed. If corn is planted in drills, one 

 kernel to the place, the plants should be from twelve to 

 thirty inches apart in the row. If checkrowed, two to four 

 kernels of corn should be planted to the hill, depending 

 upon the richness of the soil, rainfall, and other climatic 

 conditions, and the variety of corn. 



The ears on the different stalks vary in size. Some are 

 large and well-shaped, others, commonly known as nubbins, are 

 smaller, and many stalks fail to produce ears at all. It will 

 be easily understood that the number of plants for a given 

 area, the per cent of stalks producing ears, and the size of 

 the ears are all important factors influencing the acre yield. 

 In this exercise one stalk for each twenty-one inches will be 

 considered a perfect stand when drilled, and three stalks to 

 the hill when checkrowed. 



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