SWEET CORN OR SUGAR CORN 271 



idea among them is that in order to get an early crop of 

 sweet corn, which is the one that brings the highest money, 

 they should have food for the plant quickly available. 



200. From six to eight kernels, in some cases more, are 

 planted ia each hill. For the early varieties, the hills may 

 be as close as one foot. From fifteen to eighteen inches is 

 more nearly the average distance between hills in the row. 

 The distance between rows varies from twenty-four to 

 thirty inches. The cleanest culture is given, and irriga- 

 tion is practiced in some cases. 



Market-gardeners, by their intensive methods of plant- 

 ing, are able to place corn on the market from ten days 

 to two weeks earlier than men living a little farther back 

 from the centers of population, and practicing less inten- 

 sive methods. In cultivating the com, especially with the 

 hoe, suckering is generally practiced. 



Cultivation is continued thoroughly and as along as 

 possible, the horse being muzzled when it is found that 

 injury results. If the corn is not growing to suit, slight 

 applications of fertilizer, especially nitrate of soda 100 to 

 150 poimds per acre, are made. 



In planting the early and main season and late varie- 

 ties, some planters practice sowing the seed at the same 

 time, and allowing the difference in the period of maturity 

 to bring the crop in at the proper time. Other growers 

 prefer to plant their corn at intervals of ten days to two 

 weeks. This latter seems to be the most practicable 

 method. 



201. Marketing. — As soon as the ear is at the right 

 stage for harvesting it is broken from the plant and placed 

 in baskets or boxes, immediately taken to the shed, and 

 there repacked. In the eastern markets, especially in New 

 England, the com is packed in boxes, a certain definite 



