I56 THE BOOK OF CORN 



peared. Many have been tried but they usually fall 

 short in some important particular. None of them has 

 become popular, and a fortune awaits the man who 

 perfects a thoroughly practical corn husker, which 

 will be as successful relatively as the modern husker 

 is for corn fodder. 



When corn is to be husked direct from the stand- 

 ing stalk it should be allowed to mature quite thor- 

 oughly, particularly if it is of a variety with large ears 

 and large cobs containing a high percentage of moist- 

 ure. This must be determined by examination. Some 

 seasons husking begins the latter part of September in 

 northern latitudes, while in others it is not safe to 

 begin husking until the middle or end of October. 

 The time will also depend largely upon the variety. 

 Early maturing kinds have small ears and small cobs 

 and they can be husked much earlier than late matur- 

 ing and large ear varieties. Corn when first placed in 

 the crib contains thirteen to thirty-five or forty per cent 

 of moisture. 



A common practice in the great corn states is 

 to start through the field marking a "down" row. 

 Husk two rows to the left of the wagon and the one 

 row that is under it. Go around a good-sized "land" 

 in this manner. The next time through the field and 

 every succeeding time thereafter have the team straddle 

 the last husked row next the corn that has not been 

 husked. This will prevent the necessity of picking up 

 a down row each time and will enable the husker to 

 do his best work. The ordinary wagon box will hold 

 from twenty-five to thirty bushels. Where the corn 

 is exceptionally good a skillful husker will be able 

 to more than fill one wagon box in half a day. The 

 capacity of a box may be increased by putting on addi- 

 tional sideboards which any farmer can make himself. 

 On the right side of the wagon box it is desirable to 



