332 



THE BOOK OF CORN 



good form and size as possible. Most varieties of pop- 

 corn incline to grow too much stalk at the expense of 

 ear. To overcome this, only moderate quantities of 

 fertilizer should be employed. The best results are 

 obtained from plowing an old pasture and using com- 

 mercial fertilizers made up largely of muriate of pot- 

 ash, broadcasted and harrowed in. Harrow the ground 

 well and mark out in rows three to three and one-half 

 feet apart, except for the dwarf kinds, and plant either 

 in hills or drills. Two stalks to every foot is plenty. 

 Use the weeder freely until the corn is eight to ten 

 inches high. This not only keeps the ground mellow, 

 conserves moisture and prevents weeds growing, but 

 it also has a tendency to prevent a strong and rank 

 growth of stalk. 



When the corn is ripe, cut and place in small 

 shocks or stooks, binding them tightly at the top with 

 twine, weeds, straw or suckers without ears, in order 

 to turn rain. Tie another band about midway between 

 the tip and the butt, drawing it tight enough to keep 

 the shock upright, but not so tight as to prevent the 

 corn from drying out nicely. After drying, the corn 

 should be husked in the field; or if drawn to the bam, 

 it must be husked before rats and mice have oppor- 

 tunity to work it. The ears are then stored in well- 

 ventilated cribs, and must be kept absolutely free from 

 mice and rats. If these vermin get into popcorn they 

 spoil its sale for popping purposes and it is useful only 

 for hen feed. The corn must be kept dry, and is not 

 generally fit for sale until the following year. Although 

 popcorn can be, and often is, marketed the same season 

 that it is grown, it does not give as good satisfaction 

 in popping. A few damp days will utterly spoil it, so 

 that it must be dried out again. During the summer 

 care must be taken that it does not become so hot as to 

 bake, as its popping qualities would be destroyed. 



