CORN 



109 



9. What is the most important use of corn? Name other 

 uses. 



10. Although corn is our leading crop, why do we export so 

 little ? 



PRACTICAL EXERCISES 



1. On a plate put a moist cloth or piece of blotting paper. 

 Place several grains of corn on the moist surface, and cover 

 with another plate. Keep in a warm place and observe from 

 day to day the germination of the corn. Note the root hairs. 

 How many temporary roots are there? Make drawings of a 

 germinating grain at different stages of growth. 



2. In a tall bottle or glass jar of soil, plant five grains of corn 

 at each of the following depths : one, two, four, and six inches. 

 Keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Observe from day to day 

 the growth at each depth. Note the growth of temporary 

 and permanent roots. How long does it take for the plants to 

 come up from each depth ? Which plants are the strongest ? 



3. In order to test seed corn, a germination test should be 

 carried out. Procure a box two or three inches deep, two feet 

 wide, and two and one half feet long. Across the top of the 

 box stretch wire or twine to divide the space into two-inch 

 squares, and then fill the box with sand to the level of the wire 

 or twine. Six kernels from each numbered ear of corn are to 

 be placed in a square having the same number as the ear. 



Take the kernels from different parts of an ear, but not from 

 the base nor tip. The kernels should be pressed into the sand, 

 but not completely buried. Moisten the sand and cover with 

 glass or other suitable material. Keep in a warm place, at a 

 temperature of about 70 degrees. If all the grains from an ear 

 do not send out vigorous root and stem sprouts within four or 

 five days, the ear should not be used for seed corn. 



4. Write to the Agricultural College in your state for the 

 score card used in judging seed com. Bring to school ten ears 



