INTRODUCTION 11 
than human if he tried to build up a farm when he felt that 
his successor would reap the benefits of his labors. <A five- 
year lease with privilege of renewal, we consider a good fair 
lease for an appreciative tenant who has first been tested out 
on a one or two year lease. 
Four Facrors DETERMINE THE YIELD 
Before taking up the culture of corn in detail, let us 
state briefly the four factors which enter into the producing 
of a crop of corn. They are: Culture, Soil, Seed and 
Climate. In the first three chapters comprising culture we 
shall ask the reader to go with us into the fields and stay 
with us until the crop is laid by. 
In the four chapters entitled ‘‘Building up the Land,’’ 
we shall explain the methods followed by experiment stations 
and the best farmers in their efforts to increase the fertility 
of their farms. In addition to this, we give the results of our 
own experience with rotations, manure and fertilizers. 
The remaining chapters deal with the breeding, selecting, 
drying and testing of corn for seed. All field and corn illus- 
trations in the following chapters have been taken on our 
own farms during the crop seasons of 1912 and 1913. 
