CHAPTER XII 

 WARM SEASON VEGETABLES 



Crops of this group thrive best in the summer months. They 

 are injured or killed by frosts in spring and fall. 



Sweet Corn. — This is an important table vegetable in all sections 

 of the country. It may be grown in all home gardens, except the 

 very small ones. The product is good for use in the summer, and 

 may be dried or canned for winter use. 



Rich, black loam or clay loam is best for corn. Spade or plow 

 the soil to a great depth, pulverize it thoroughly and allow it to 

 stand several weeks before planting, if possible. During this time 

 it should be raked or harrowed several times to keep a soil mulch, 

 preventing crusting, hasten the sprouting of weed seeds, and help 

 to admit the warm air. 



Good varieties for the earliest product are Golden Bantam 

 Peep-of-day, and Adams Early; for the medium season crop 

 Country Gentleman is highly prized; for the latest crop Stowell's 

 Evergreen is probably the best. 



A pint of seed is sufficient for 200 feet of rows. Plant four or five 

 kernels in a place, making the places two or three feet apart. The 

 rows may be three and one half feet apart. The plants may be 

 thinned to leave only two or three stalks in each place. 



The ground should be kept thoroughly stirred to maintain a 

 good loose mulch and prevent the loss of moisture. No weeds 

 should be allowed to grow. 



When the silk on the cob begins to dry the corn should be about 

 ready for table use. Kernels should be full of milk. It should be 

 used immediately after picking. 



To dry the corn for winter use it should be cut from the cob and 

 the kernels well scraped out with the back of a knife just after 

 cooking for table use. Dry the kernels over the back of the stove 

 or in an open oven. This drying may be continued during the 

 preparation of several meals without use of extra fuel. When 

 thoroughly dried the corn may be placed in paper bags or breakfast 

 food boxes, which are then sealed by pasting paper over the opening. 

 This keeps the weevils and other insects out. It should be stored 

 where mice will not disturb it. For table use in winter it is soaked 



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