PBEFACE Vli 



and the arjt of maize production is removing or modifying 

 these limbing factors. 



Practically the whole problem is involved in securing 

 a perfect harmony between the plant and its environ- 

 ment. 



Environment may be classed as climatic factors and soil 

 factors. Over climate we exercise little or no control. 

 Either the plant must be adapted to suit the climate or its 

 production is limited only to those regions where a natural 

 climate is found to which the plant is suited. The natural 

 precipitation is about the only factor assigned to climate, 

 the effect of which can be modified. Where precipitation is 

 excessive, land can be drained, or where deficient, methods 

 of storing the moisture in soil may be adopted. However, 

 within certain limits there is usually an optimum rainfall 

 which favors the largest production. 



Soil environment, however, is subject to modification in a 

 very large degree. If proper elements are present in the 

 soil but in an insoluble state, solvents may be added as 

 decaying organic matter, or air be admitted by tillage and 

 the bacterial flora increased. If the proper mineral ele- 

 ments are not present or present in an unavailable form, 

 these elements may be added to the soil, until a normal 

 state of fertility is produced. 



After the conditions of adaptation of both plant and soil 

 have been fulfilled so far as practicable, and seed has been 

 planted in suitable soil, it is then necessary to protect. 

 Protection is the principal reason for cultivation. To facil- 

 itate cultivation, systems of planting have been devised, as 

 the distribution of the plants in rows, drills, or checks, in 

 furrows or on the level surface. 



Protection against insect enemies and fungous diseases is 

 also an important part of production, and is one of the 

 reasons for the practice of rotations. 



