CHAPTEE XVII 



CORN Crowing 



In the boys' club work corn has been grown more than any 

 other crop. Corn growing contests have been organized, in 

 schools and out of them, throughout America. The crop is a 

 popular one in all sections, and is well suited to the work 

 of schools. 



In the fall lessons are given on the selection of corn for 

 seed. This will require the learning of the points in a good 

 score card. Students will learn how to judge corn accurately 

 and rapidly. The technical matters regarding right propor- 

 tion of corn to ear, purity, shape of kernels and maturity must 

 be learned before corn can be properly selected for seed. In 

 the fall, fairs and exhibits may be held. Methods of storing 

 the crop and seed may also be taken up at this time of year 

 or in early winter. 



During the winter students may give considerable atten- 

 tion to the value of seed testing and learn different methods of 

 testing corn by the ear methods, and by the mixture method. 

 They can read many corn bulletins during the winter season 

 as reading lessons in school. 



In early spring methods of preparation of soil, the value of 

 fertilizers, the importance of soil moisture and methods of 

 retaining it are all suitable topics for study. The different 

 methods of planting for crop of ears or total crop of stalks and 

 ears should be taken up before planting time. 



During vacation young people may produce the crop itself. 

 They will put into practice the things which they have been 

 studying about corn in school. The seed which was tested dur- 

 ing the winter may be actually used in the planting. Early 

 preparation of the soil, the use of bare fallow to kill weeds, 

 save moisture and warm the soil will become real by actual 

 practice. 

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