CULTURE OUTSIDE CORN BELT 187 



before planting than too soon after the corn is up. The 

 usual plan of having the ground alternately wet and 

 dry gives the right conditions for rapid growth, since 

 the excess of water passing off from the surface by 

 evaporation brings the soluble food constituents near 

 to the surface where they are within reach of the 

 plant roots. 



The soil should contain enough moisture at plant- 

 ing to germinate the seed and to give the plants a good 

 start. Delay the first irrigation until need of it is defi- 

 nitely shown, so the roots will take the right direction 

 and penetrate the soil to some distance. After irriga- 

 tion is begun keep the crop moderately supplied until 

 the silks and tassels appear, when it should have an 

 abundance until the ears are filled, after which irriga- 

 tion may cease. 



Amount to Apply — The soil should be given all 

 the water it will hold at each irrigation, but there is 

 no standard, the amount depending upon the texture 

 and other conditions. It will vary from a few inches 

 to a foot. From one to two acre feet are required to 

 mature a crop and it should be applied at intervals of 

 from fifteen to twenty-five days, depending upon the 

 location and the character and preparation of the soil. 



