346 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN BOTANY 



details that develop and should be learned in connection with 

 the practice. The cultivation of no cereal has received so 

 much attention in recent years, and, as a result, it is neces- 

 sary for the corn-grower to keep informed as to the results of 

 experimental work. Even the preparatory ploughing varies 

 as to time and depth and other details. 



While corn is grown on a great variety of soils, the best corn 

 is produced upon deep, rich, well-watered and well-drained 

 soils. A rich soil usually means one with a large amount of 

 organic material in such condition that it is loose and friable, 

 and not likely to cake in dry weather. A soil with such 

 physical properties is often described as a " sandy loam." 

 It has great capacity for -receiving water and retaining it as 

 soil films, and at the same time drains so readily that the 

 circulation of the air is not interfered with. The depth and 

 perfect physical condition of the soil demanded by successful 

 corn-production is greater than for any other cereal crop. 

 In preparing such a soil for seed, it is usually ploughed deeper 

 than for any other cereal crop, but it is not certain that this 

 is necessary. 



In the greatest corn-producing states, the deeper, pre- 

 liminary ploughing is generally done in the fall, and during the 

 following May the seed-bed is finally prepared and planted. 

 The time of planting is planned so as to escape the late spring 

 frosts. The sowing is done either in hills or drills, but in 

 any event it is done so that the soil can be worked between 

 the rows of corn. The ground is kept pulverized with the 

 harrow until the young plants appear ; and afterwards the 

 same pulverizing is accomplished by running cultivators 

 of various kinds between the rows. This is continued as 

 long as it can be done without injury to the plants, usually 

 extending for about six weeks from the first of June. 



50. Selection of corn. Very much attention has been 

 paid to the selection of seed corn, and to arouse interest and 

 to develop facility in selection, as well as to stimulate interest 



