118 



CORN CROPS 



prairies we have, along the Missouri River, a tall vegeta- 

 tion of grass and other plants, waist-high to a man, in 



Fig. 37. — Prairie vegetation in humid region. Compare with Fig. 36. 

 There must be quite a marked difference in the types of corn adapted 

 to these two regions. 



marked contrast to the " short grass " country three hun- 

 dred miles westward. 



Even within a State distinct floral zones can often be 

 identified, as in Nebraska, for example, where six zones 

 are recognized, each with a characteristic vegetation. 



EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE CORN PLANT 



87. It has long been observed that each region would 

 have a distinct type of corn plant. In northern regions 

 the plant is leafy with the ear borne very low; in dry 

 regions the plant is stocky, with a high proportion of ear 

 and often with scant leaf ; while in southern regions the 



