114 GARDEN STEPS 



sensitive to cold ; and even if set expertly, they will 

 lose strength at the slightest chill and be slower than 

 field-planted corn, put in later. Besides this, only 

 the most expert can transplant corn. From the 

 nature of the root growth, one can see that it is a 

 delicate operation to get those hair roots from one 

 bed of earth into another without damage. Any 

 one interested may try it, but good results are hardly 

 to be expected. 



When to Plant the Early Crop. — For the first 

 early crop, it is safe to put in the seed as soon as 

 the first green appears on the trees. See that the 

 earth is worked over well and fertilized somewhat. 

 The first application need not be very heavy. If 

 stable or dairy dressing has been plowed in, that is a 

 good preparation. Satisfactory results will be ob- 

 tained if ten pounds of complete commercial fer- 

 tilizer to each twenty-foot square is scattered about 

 and raked in at planting. As the roots are feeding 

 near the surface, the fertilizer need not be worked 

 deep into the soil. Poultry droppings are especially 

 good for corn. A barrow-load to each twenty-foot 

 square is good for a start. 



Rows or Hills. — There are two distinct methods 

 of placing the corn in the field. It may be placed in 

 hills, two or three feet apart each way, or it may be 

 planted in rows, about three feet apart, leaving the 

 stalks eight or ten inches apart in the row. Gar- 

 deners get good results either way, and some very 



