CHAPTER XVII 

 SOIL AND CLIMATIC ADAPTATIONS OF CORN 



EACH crop, according to its physiological requirements, 

 is adapted to make its best growth on a particular soil 

 and under a particular climate. The range of conditions 

 under which a given crop may be profitably grown is more 

 or less limited. It is wider for corn than for any other 

 cereal. Corn is grown in every state and territory in the 

 United States except Alaska, and in both Mexico and 

 Canada. Almost all soil and climatic conditions are repre- 

 sented on the areas producing corn within this range. 

 Nevertheless, the bulk of the production is largely cen- 

 tralized in a somewhat restricted area (Iowa, Illinois, 

 Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio) where exists 

 the most favorable combination of soil, climate, and topog- 

 raphy. 



SOIL ADAPTATIONS 



4 



With climatic conditions favorable, the factor which 

 influences the yield of corn most is the nature and condi- 

 tion of the soil. * , 



256. Soils adapted to corn. Corn is successfully 

 grown on a wide variety of soils. Owing to its abundant 

 foliage and the rapidity with which it transpires water, 

 corn will not make a satisfactory growth on soils of low 

 water-holding capacity. They should be deep, friable, 

 and well supplied with decaying vegetable matter. The 

 latter factor is of special importance, not only because 



211 



