CHAPTER XXII 



ANIMAL AND INSECT ENEMIES AND FUNGOUS 

 DISEASES OF CORN 



Corn is preyed on by numerous enemies, including 

 crows, rodents, insects, and fungi. Seldom do any of 

 these destroy the entire crop. The corn crop is more 

 easily protected from its enemies than are most other 

 important crops. 



ANIMAL ENEMIES 



319. Treatment. — Rodents of different kinds, par- 

 ticularly ground squirrels, sometimes dig up and eat the 

 seeds of corn soon after planting. As a partial preventive 

 of this injury the seed may be treated with coal tar before 

 it is planted. The usual method is to stir the seed with a 

 paddle that has been dipped in hot coal tar. This practice 

 is repeated imtil every seed is covered with a thin coating 

 of the tar. The seed is allowed to dry before being planted. 

 Corn that has been soaked in a strychnine solution may 

 be planted a few days ahead of the regular planting, thus 

 poisoning the rodents. 



Crows do some damage, particularly in regions where 

 the acreage in corn is comparatively small. In order to get 

 the kernels they pull-up the young plants for a period of 

 ten days after the plants appear above ground. Usually 

 they will not trouble a field for several days after a few of 

 them have been poisoned. Corn that has been soaked for a 

 day or two in a strychnine splution shoUld be placed about 



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