CHAPTER V. 



CLIMATE AND SOIL IN ITS RELATION 

 TO CORN 



CORN AND CLIMATE 



The factors which are absolutely essential to the production of a 

 corn crop may be included under the following heads: 



1. Seed used. 



2. Cultivation (both before and after planting). 



3. Climate (including temperature, sunshine, precipitation). 



4. Topographical features (including nature and condition of 



soil). 



The final yield and character of the crop are determined by these 

 factors. If, in any particular case, one of these is found to be un- 

 favorable to the needs of the crop, that one factor may determine the 

 character of the crop produced. It is usually impossible to ascertain 

 definitely just how much influence on the final outcome has been 

 exerted by any particular factor. However, much of both interest 

 and profit may be learned by a study of that factor, even though it 

 may be largely or wholly beyond human control, as is the case with 

 temperature or precipitation. 



EFFECT OF CLIMATE UPON DISTRIBUTION. Corn is 



grown under more widely varying conditions than almost any other 

 cereal. It is raised in every state and territory except Alaska, and in 

 both Mexico and Canada. Nevertheless, as is shown in another chap- 

 ter, the great bulk of the production is centered in the seven principal 

 states of the corn belt — Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, 

 Indiana and Ohio. The reason for the largely centralized production 

 of a crop showing such wide adaptability, is found in the fact that on 

 the area mentioned is found the most favorable combination of soil 

 and climate. Other large areas may possess equally favorable soil 

 conditions, but the climate is not so well suited to corn raising. Where 

 the soil and temperature are all that could be asked, the rainfall is 



