PLANTING CORN 



263 



LESSON LXXIV 

 PLANTING COEN 



Preparation of seed bed. Having selected our seed 

 corn, and tested it for germination, the next step we 

 must take in corn culture is to prepare the soil to re- 

 ceive the seed. A rich humus soil, loose, warm, and 

 moist, will produce a better crop of corn than any 

 other. If the field has been fall-plowed, it should now 



Courtesy of Farm and Fireside. 



FIG. 80. JERRY MOORE AND His 228% Bu. OF CORN RAISED ON ONE 



ACRE 



be double-disked and harrowed in preparation for the 

 planting. In many cases corn follows corn, and the 

 plowing must be done in the spring. In this case a 

 disking before plowing will cut up the stalks and pro- 

 vide a fine layer which will fall into the bottom of the 

 furrow, and help to restore capillarity. In soils that 

 are liable to bake, each day's plowing should be har- 



