320 THE BOOK OF CORN 



thousand pounds per acre of commercial fertilizer is 

 used. As the roots of corn do not go deep in search of 

 plant food and moisture, the plant will not stand long 

 and extended periods of drouth, therefore the prepara- 

 tion and cultivation of the soil should be such as to 

 conserve all moisture possible and to keep the plant 

 growing rapidly. 



Sweet corn is a tender plant and will not stand 

 much cold weather or any frost, therefore it should 

 not be planted until danger of frost is over and the 

 ground has become warm. If planted in cold soil, the 

 seed will often rot before sprouting and replanting 

 is necessary. The ground is commonly marked into 

 rows three to four feet apart and the corn planted in 

 hills from two and one-half to three feet in the row, 

 or in drills so that one stalk will stand in each foot. 

 For the family garden, it is desirable to get the first 

 crop as early as possible, therefore an extra early 

 planting may be risked. Not only should an extra 

 early variety be selected, but the seed may be artificially 

 sprouted. To do this, put sand one inch deep in the 

 bottom of a large pan or shallow box. Spread a cloth 

 over this and the corn thinly on the cloth. Cover with 

 another cloth and then a layer of sand one-half inch 

 deep. Sprinkle with water and keep warm by the stove 

 or in a hotbed or greenhouse. The corn will all sprout 

 in about five days. By this method of sprouting the 

 seed is tested, the danger of rotting is reduced to 

 a minimum and the harvest time is also hastened 

 several days. 



After sprouting, the corn must be at once planted 

 in the open ground. Another way is to plant five or 

 six kernels in a five-inch pot and allow three plants to 

 grow. If carefully done, the corn can be transplanted 

 when six inches high and several days in maturity 

 gained thereby. Even though the first planting should 



