THE GRAIN CROPS OR CEREALS. 55 



may be carried by the wind or by insects to the silky pistils of 

 another, and thus produce the peculiar kernels that are some- 

 times seen on ears of corn. In growing corn for seed, there- 

 fore, it is necessary to grow each kind by itself, far from any 

 other variety. 



There are various ways of growing corn. It may be sown 

 broadcast, when the plants grow close together and cover the 

 entire soil. In this case the plants do not have sunlight upon 

 the lower leaves and the stalks, and as a result the plants do 

 not mature, and production of ears is prevented. The crop 

 consists entirely of leaf and stalk, and is cut and used just as 

 we cut and use timothy hay. The effect of the lack of sun- 

 light is seen also in the pale yellow color of the under leaves. 

 The stalks and the leaves are quite watery, and the amount 

 of food per acre is less than is got by the other methods. If 

 ears are desired the corn must be sown in rows or in hills far 

 apart; the taller the corn the farther apart must be the drills or 

 hills. A method adopted by many western corn-raisers is that 

 known as " listing." The corn is grown in furrows, which are 

 gradually filled in as the corn grows higher. Just above the 

 surface of the soil a ring of suckers shoots out from near the 

 joint or node, and as the earth comes up to them these take 

 root. In this way the corn becomes deep rooted, is held firmly 

 in place and is able to withstand drouth. 



A great deal of valuable information can be learned by care- 

 fully watching the growth of different kinds of corn in the field. 

 From what part of the stalk do the ears grow ? What is the 

 effect of cutting off part of the tassels ? What is the effect 

 of cutting off all the tassels ? What is the effect of re- 

 moving the smaller ears and leaving only the larger ? What 

 is the effect of cutting away all the corn for about eight feet on 

 every side of a single hill or stand ? 



SUGAR CANE. This plant, like corn, has a stalk whose tubes 

 are filled with a juice rich in sugar. New plants are started 



