NOLAN] 



THE STOR Y OF A KERNEL OF CORN 



311 



rapid growth, reaching to a height of five or six inches above the 

 little weeds that were everywhere appearing to challenge our com 

 for its space and food. The com plant now has the lead. The 

 roots are firmly and deeply set in a soil rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, 

 potassium and other plant foods, made ready for the root hairs to 

 absorb. The broad green leaves are unfolding to take in the car- 

 bon and oxygen which the plant must use, and on every hand the 

 weather, the soil and the farmer are befriending our com plant 

 in its growth. 



Fig. 4. Feeding the Corn Plant 



When our com plant is about six inches high, Mr. Farmer 

 comes to aid it, with his horses and cultivators. Some farmers 

 harrow the little com when it is only a few inches high, but the 

 com of our story receives its first cultivation at the height men- 

 tioned above. Mr. Farmer used a small-shovelled cultivator 

 which stirred the ground thoroughly, tore up the weeds and pro- 

 vided a shallow soil mulch to prevent the moisture, coming up from 

 the water table below, from escaping at the surface, and direct it 

 into the corn plant through the roots. Four or five such cultiva- 

 tions during the season were given, and the com grew green and 

 beautiful, coming into maturity well fed and well bred. The com 



