PRODUCTION OF CORN 77 



border the growing season is too short for the highest-yielding 

 kinds of corn to mature; while in the western states, including 

 those of the Rocky Mountains, the rainfall is too light to 

 produce a good crop without irrigation. 



The most favorable section for corn is the broad strip, 

 known as the Corn Belt, extending from eastern Nebraska 

 through Iowa,* Illinois and Indiana to eastern Ohio. We 

 have here the climatic influences most favorable for the 

 greatest production of corn; a growing period of about five 

 months, a high temperature, especially during the second 

 half of this period, and an abundance of rainfall. 



Soil. Any well-drained soil containing considerable or- 

 ganic matter will produce corn profitably provided that 

 climatic conditions are favorable, and that proper preparation 

 of the soil and cultivation of the crop are secured. Sod- 

 land, which has been in grass or clover for one or two years, 

 is regarded as the best for corn. 



Place of corn in a cropping system. For two reasons 

 corn should follow a legume in a rotation. First, the legume 

 supplies nitrogen for the use of the corn plant and organic 

 matter for increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil; 

 second, the deep roots of the legume loosen the soil below 

 the plow line, affording better drainage and better conditions 

 for the growth of the corn roots. 



Preparation of the seed bed. When the land is plowed 

 in the spring, it should be harrowed immediately; and if the 

 soil is heavy, it should be disked. Harrowing is important 

 to prevent the formation of clods and consequent loss of 

 water. If it is well done, a good mulch is formed and, at the 

 same time, a good seed bed is prepared. Thorough prepa- 

 ration of the seed bed puts the soil in the best possible con- 

 dition to grow plants. In some instances, because of the 



