76 FIELD CROPS 



to a uniform size, but with irregular kernels of corn the round- 

 hole type is to be preferred. 



CULTIVATION 



84. Objects of Cultivation. The objects of cultivating 

 corn are to conserve moisture, to liberate plant food, and to 

 destroy weeds. As previously stated, (Sec. 70), it is cheaper 

 to do as much of the cultivation as possible before the crop 

 is planted. If this is done, the labor of "keeping a field in 

 good condition during the growth of the crop is greatly 

 reduced. 



85. Harrowing. There is considerable difference of 

 opinion as to the advisability of harrowing corn land after 

 the crop is planted. During the first couple of days after 

 planting, it may be harrowed without danger of injury, but 

 as soon as the kernels of corn begin to germinate there is 

 more or less danger that the harrow teeth will destroy some 

 of the kernels or plants. 



It seems somewhat inconsistent to spend a good deal of 

 effort in grading and testing seed corn to insure a perfect 

 stand and then to go on the field with a large harrow that 

 is capable of destroying from 5 to 10 per cent of the plants 

 at one operation. One can hardly set any hard and fast 

 rules for the care of corn, because so much depends on the 

 soil and especially on the weather conditions ; but, if planting 

 is deferred until conditions are favorable and the seed is 

 planted only on soil that is in thoroughly good condition, 

 harrowing normally will be unnecessary. However, if cold, 

 rainy weather comes on after the corn is planted, preventing 

 its prompt germination and growth, it is probably better 

 to harrow the field and keep the soil in good condition than 

 to allow it to become baked and hard and to permit weeds to 



