188 SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



of corn culture involving the use of higher fertilization than 

 usual. 



Apparently the best lessons impressed by the Williamson 

 method are (1) the special value of nitrate of soda as a fertilizer 

 for corn and (2) the possibility, under favorable conditions, of 

 planting corn much thicker than is the custom in the cotton- 

 belt. 



It also possesses whatever advantages belong to the common 

 system of planting corn in the water-furrow on well-drained sandy 

 land. As before pointed out, the tendency is for most varieties of 

 Southern corn to grow a larger stalk than is necessary for the 

 production of the maximum amount of grain. A slight diminu- 

 tion is size in doubtless desirable, so as to reduce the demand on 

 the soil for water and to increase the number of plants that may 

 be grown advantageously on an acre ; but whether this decrease in 

 size of stalk should be brought about gradually by selection or 

 suddenly effected by moderate checking of growth is yet to be 

 determined by accurate investigation. 



LABORATORY EXERCISES 



(1) If corn plants are available for this purpose, study the 

 effects of root pruning on four sets of plants, by running a knife or 

 hatchet or axe three inches on each side of the row and to depths 

 of 2, 3, 4, and 5 inches respectively. This may be repeated with 

 plants of different heights between 6 inches and 6 feet. 



(2) Most of the practice to accompany this chapter should 

 consist of observations and note-taking on such experiments as 

 may be at hand, or on methods in local use by farmers. 



LITERATURE 



MYRICK, H. The Book of Corn. New York. 

 HUNT. The Cereals in America, pp. 218-242. New York, 1904. 

 DUGGAR, J. F. Ala. Expr. Sta., Buls. Nos. Ill and 134. 

 WILLIAMS, C. B., and others. N. C. Expr. Sta., Bui. No. 204 

 REDDING, R. J. Ga. Expr. Sta., Buls. Nos. 55, 58, and 62. 



