CULTURE 259 



Pod Corn is supposed to be the most primitive type of 

 corn. However this may be, it is certainly an interesting 

 type, although not common. Each kernel is inclosed in a 

 pod which resembles the husks surrounding the entire ear. 

 It is interesting also to note that occasionally we may find 

 a few podded grains on our common corn, which fact 

 suggests a reversion to the pod or earlier type. Pod 

 corn is thought to have originated in Argentina, South 

 America. 



Soft Corn is characterized by the entire absence of horny 

 endosperm (the part outside the germ). Like pod corn 

 it is mostly a curiosity with us. However, it is grown 

 somewhat in Chili and Peru. 



193. Culture. After the seed corn and its variety have 

 been selected, the work of the season runs on from prepar- 

 ing the seed bed to harvesting. 



We must not forget that corn is a tropical plant and 

 that the seed should riot be planted before the soil is 

 warm. 



In the preparation of the soil, the increase of its water- 

 holding capacity and its available food supply are the 

 objects desired. The soil particles should be made fine, 

 to enable the root hairs to absorb nourishment readily. 

 Late fall or early spring plowing of sod is the best farm 

 practice. The plowing should be deep. One to two 

 inches is the average depth for planting the kernels. 

 This will enable them to get the benefit both of the 

 warm surface layer and the interior moisture. 



As soon as weeds appear, which may be in a few days 

 after planting, a weeder or cultivator is run over the 

 ground to kill them, and also to let air into the soil, and 

 to prevent the loss of moisture. Shallow cultivation is 

 best. Later in the season, when the stalks are a foot or 

 two high, the feeding roots spread widely, and only the 



