SPECIALTIES IN CORN CULTURE 319 



contains more nourishment than where the ear is 

 allowed to ripen. It is so rich in sugar that it spoils 

 easily, if not kept and stored under the best conditions, 

 and is somewhat harder to handle because of this than 

 field corn. 



A constantly increasing area is devoted to sweet 

 corn intended to be sold green in the husk for imme- 

 diate consumption in towns and cities. Usually this is 

 quite profitable, especially if the crop gets into market 

 early. The demand for out-of-season specialties at 

 high prices has led to the growing of sweet corn in 

 greenhouses, in a small way, at a profit, and its cul- 

 ture under cheesecloth sheds has also been suggested. 



BEST CONDITIONS FOR SWEET CORN 



Although sweet corn will grow on a large variety 

 of soils, the best is a warm, sandy loam which retains 

 moisture. Where it is raised for market, it is essential 

 to have a warm, quick soil that will bring it in early, 

 for the first corn fetches top prices, and when the main 

 crop comes in the price falls rapidly. A difference of 

 three or four days in time of maturity will often make 

 a difference of several cents per dozen ears in the 

 market price. 



In addition to a warm, quick soil, some quick- 

 acting fertilizers are desirable, especially in sections 

 remote from the central west, with its natural fertility. 

 The preparation of the soil should begin by rather 

 deep plowing and the turning under or working in of a 

 liberal application of stable manure. Use also two 

 hundred or three hundred pounds of quick-acting ferti- 

 lizer per acre, which should be put in the drill with 

 the corn to give it a rapid start. When sweet corn is 

 grown by market gardeners' within hauling distance of 

 large cities, sometimes as much as five hundred to one 



