CORN GROWING 
215 
killing frost until June. Some of our common methods 
of determining when to plant corn are when the leaves 
upon the white oak are as large as the ears of a 
squirrel, or when the dogwood trees begin to bloom. It 
is not a good plan to plant corn during a period of cold 
wet weather. The corn will usually produce a better 
crop if we wait until the soil becomes warm and mellow. 
It has been demonstrated that a rich sandy loam is 
much easier to get into condition for corn than any 
Fig. 158.—Different kinds of corn. 
other soil, for there is less trouble in both preparation 
and cultivation. Hilly soils are not adapted to growing 
corn, because they wash badly and are not easily cul¬ 
tivated. 
Planting and Cultivation—There are three common 
methods of planting corn. On the hilly fields, the corn 
should be planted flat, that is upon the level surface of 
the field. In dry sections corn is usually planted in a 
“water furrow.” Wet, flat lands are often better planted 
upon ridges. 
Many farmers plant too deep. They forget that corn 
begins to germinate hurriedly and that it will be grow¬ 
ing within a few days, if the conditions are right. From 
