THE CORN CROP IN THE UNITED STATES. 121 



Fuel Value of Corn Compared. 



Corn 1,800 calories per pound 



Wheat 1,750 calories per pound 



Rye 1,750 calories per pound 



Oats 1,720 calories per pound 



Buckwheat 1,600 calories per pound 



Corn Smut. 



In the treatment of corn smut the following facts should be 

 observed : 



1. Seed treatment has not been of any value. 



2. Rotation of crops has a decided influence in preventing corn-smut. 



3. Corn-smut will live in the soil a few years, only. 



4. Manure containing smut should be well rotted. 



5. Smut-masses should be cut out of the corn field, while the crop is 

 growing, and burned. 



6. The loss from smut is usually greater in the Northwestern states. 



7. The loss caused by smut is in the deformed and damaged ears and 

 in the vigor and yield of the plants. 



Questions. 



1. Explain why corn is at the present time the most important crop 

 in the states of the middle west. 



2. Is corn a well balanced ration? Why. 



3. Compare the composition of corn with that of alfalfa. 



4. Name some of the causes that injure seed corn. 



5. Give four reasons for cultivating corn. 



6. What is a good rotation for your locality including corn? 



7. Why should there be a legume in the rotation? 



8. What is the fertilizing value of a bushel of corn? 



9. How can this fertility be returned to the soil? 



10. Make a list of products made from corn. 



11. Which is supposed to be the primitive type of corn? 



12. How can corn be improved by selection. 



13. Name the different steps in the evolution of planting. 



15. Make a list of all the modern machines used in corn production. 



16. What is shallow cultivation? Deep cultivation of corn? 



17. How does corn become mixed? 



18. What is the average length of the season between frosts in your 

 locality? 



19. Why should we feed corn on the farm? 



20. When corn is fed alone, how many pounds of corn are required 

 to produce a pound of gain in hogs? 



