The Spectator., 1915-11-30
Il.-PRiNCIPlES OF CORN
 GROWING.

SnS "tGNSs
 By w J. Jernigan. Boys Club Special.
 ist. U. s. Dept of Agriculture.
 The chief object sought for in corn culture, not only by corn club boys. but by every corn grower as well, is the production of the largest possible yield per acre at the least cost of production. To achieve this object one must have and must do certain things. They must have: Q) Strong. vigorous plants; CD the proper num- Der in each hill or row; (3) each stalk must have at least one good ear.
 To secure these there must be: CD Good soil; CD good seed; (3) good tillage.
 Tho soil must be filled with some material which will increase its wa ter.holding capacity, and, at the same time. assist in converting the ele- ments of plant food from a form in which the crops cannot use them to an available form. These changes are brought about by various acids which are formed during the decay of or sanic matter, such as stable manure or green maturing crops Hence all boys are urged to SOW a winter cover crop of rye. oats, wheat, or, better still. crimson clover, bur clover or vetch, according to instructions in letter No. CC-209. already sent to all 1915 members. Boys are also urged to take geod care of the barnyard manure aud to apply on their acre amounts depending upon the fertility of the soil. usually from about five to twenty loads of we'll routed manure. The preparation of the seed bed may also be mentioned in connection with good soil, for unless the soil particles. which determine the phys ical condition of the seed beds. are well pulverized, the food that is in the soil cannot be readily obtained by the plant. Hence fall breaking of all heavy clay soils from ten to fifteen inches deep is advocated. Sandy soils may be turned in early spring to better advantage. but should have cover crop.
 While the question of good soil is doubtless the most important of the principles of corn growing. yet no matter how good the soil. the largest yield cannot be secured from a poor quality of seed. The most important character seed corn should possess is ability to reproduce abundant ly good quantity of ears There are other desirable characters. how ever. that good seed corn should pos. possess.
 An car cylindrical ia shape. well est percentage of grain per cob. as well as karnels of the most uniform shape SO nccsxsary in planting The cob should be neither too large nor too small. possessing 1he property of drying quickly, giving it light weight and healthy color. The kernels should fit compactly together throughout the full length on both sides and edges, and should be uniform in shape, size and color Length is a very desirable character for kernels of an ear to possess. as it is by inoreased length in proportion to the diameter of the cob that the percentage of grain is increased A safe nnle is that the length of the kernel should be about one-half the diameter of the cob. The above points should guide in select. ing the ear Equal care must be giv. en the individual stalk from which the ear is taken. Let these points guide as regards the stalk CD Avoid stalks having smut or other diseases; CD avoid stalks having suckers; (3) avoid stalks that have advantage as to location; (D look for stalks that are broad. fiat. having from F to IA inch broad leaves: (5) look for stalks having ears hanging down ward with strong shank four or five inches long
 This selection should be made in the field after the corn is matured and the corn should thsen be placed in a dry. well ventilsted place.
 About all that can be said here re 1 garding good cultivation is that one must always bear in mind the objects for which we cultivate. which are:
 l. To destroy weeds or intsrfer ing vegetation. 3 ?. To conserve moisruNs and 1dMh air Early, frequent. shallow. laas sA4 | q