12 HINTS ON RAISING FARM CROPS * 
The most effective treatment for most of 
these pests consists of fall plowing (which aids 
in destroying the eggs of these insects) and 
rotating the crops, so that the corn will not 
be in dangerous proximity to the remaining 
eggs that hatch the following spring. Crows 
and gophers, mentioned as “pests,” attack the 
corn immediately after it is planted, taking 
the seed away, or destroying the young plants. 
It may he said here, that corn is relatively 
free from plant diseases, when compared with 
other farm crops. Probably the most serious 
disease is the smut disease, which is not seri¬ 
ous in itself, but only becomes a menace when 
the smutted corn is allowed to spread. This 
smut will not harm animals fed on such corn, 
but it lowers the sales value of the corn, and 
all smut should be carefully gathered and 
burned. 
Many farmers make a tidy profit from their 
corn crop by selling seed corn. This can be ac¬ 
complished by going out into the corn field 
when the corn is ripening, and selecting the 
ripe ears that are well shaped, and that are on 
good healthy, vigorous plants. These ears 
should then be placed in a well-ventilated build¬ 
ing, where they can be cured. This curing con¬ 
sists of allowing free circulation of air through 
the building, so that the moisture that is given 
off from these seed ears may be carried away 
by the moving air, dry air taking the place of 
the moist air. Even if a farmer wishes to 
save.seed for his own use, for the following 
year, this plan should be followed, if he wants 
corn of strong germinating power. Too many 
