io8 CORN 



the early fall, before husking time, the farmer should 

 go through his fields and select the very best ears for 

 seed. They should be stored in a dry place that is well 

 ventilated, and where mice and rats cannot molest. 

 Seed corn should never be stored in boxes, barrels, or 

 sacks. In the spring, five grains from each ear should 

 be put in germinating boxes in order to test the vitality 

 of the seed. Ears of corn whose grains do not all 

 sprout or do not show a vigorous growth should be 

 rejected. 



The average yield of corn for the whole country is 

 about twenty-four bushels per acre, but good farmers 

 often grow more than one hundred bushels per acre. 

 In a few cases about two hundred bushels per acre 

 have been raised. From eight to fourteen tons or 

 more of green plants per acre may be grown for silage, 

 and from two to two and one half tons of dry plants or 

 fodder. 



QUESTIONS 



1. What do we mean by " corn " ? What is meant by the 

 same word in Eastern countries ? Why is it sometimes called 

 Indian corn? 



2. What are the leading corn states of the United States ? 



3. What kinds of soil are best for corn ? 



4. What climatic conditions are most favorable for corn ? 



5. How did the pioneers manage to grow it in the woods ? 



6. What is the most common cause of poor corn crops ? 



7. What are the main objects of corn cultivation ? 



8. In what different ways is corn harvested ? 



