142 AGRICULTURE 



There it is given the thorough tillage to which all cereals re- 

 spond. 



Cultivation. The cultivation of the corn crop should begin 

 before it is planted. The plowing should be deep and thorough. 

 The corn should be planted as soon as the ground is warm 

 enough; general experience is that early planting gives the best 

 yield. Growing conditions are usually more favorable in the 

 spring, and an early crop is less often injured by drought. Flat, 

 shallow cultivation is best, except on wet lands where ridge culti- 

 vation is needed for drainage. Deep plowing breaks off the 



A FIELD OF CORN THAT PRODUCED ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY BUSHELS 



TO THE ACRE 



roots near the surface that are busy getting air, water, and food 

 for the plants. This lessens the crop yield. In dry sections corn 

 is often 'listed,' that is, it is planted in furrows which are 

 gradually filled by cultivation so that the roots range deeper and 

 secure more moisture. 



Saving Corn Forage. Farmers are naturally desirous of saving 

 both the forage and the grain of this valuable crop. Some pull 

 the unripe leaves for fodder and cut the tops above the ears. But 

 this requires a great deal of labor and lessens the yield of grain. 

 You can easily see why it is so. You have learned how important 

 the foliage is to a plant. You would never pull the leaves of! a 



