Pocahontas star herald., 1915-12-03
II.-PRINclPLEs OF CORN
GROWING,

by w. J. Jernigan, Boys Club Special.
list, 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: (1) Strong,
vigorous plants (2) the proper mum.
ber in each hill or row; CD each
stalk must have at least one good
ear.
To secure these there must be: l)
Good soil; t2) good seed; (S) good
tillage.
The soil must be filled with some
material which will increase its wa.
terholding 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
ganic matter such as stable manure
or green manuring crops. Hence all
boys are urged TO SOW winter cover
crop Of rye. oats, wheat. or, better
still. crimson clover. bur clover. or
yetch. according TO instructions In
letter No. CC-2Os. already sent to all
1915 members. Boys are also urged
to take good care OF the barnyard
manure and TO apply on their acre
amounts depending upon the fertility
of the soil, usually from about FIVE TO
twenty loads Of well rotted 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 a
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 a good quantity of ears. There
are other desirable characters, how
ever that good seed corn should pos
possess.
An ear cylindrical in shape, well
rounded al each end affords the larg-
est percentage Of grain per cob, as
well as kernels OF the most uniform
shape so necessary in planting. The
cob should be neither too large nor
too small, possessing the property Of
drying quickly, giving ii light weight
land healthy color. The kernels should
BIT compactly together throughout the
bun length on both sides and edges,
and should be uniform in shape, size
Ind color. Length is very desirable
haracter for kernels of an ear to
b0ssess. as II is by increased length
n proportion TO the diameter of the
bob that the percentage of grain is
Increased. A safe rule is that the
length of the kernel should be about
bne-half the diameter of the cob. The
above points should guide in select
ing the ear Equal care must be CIV
en- the individual stalk from which
the ear is taken. Let these points
guide as regards the stalk: Q) Avoid
stalks having smut or other diseases;
W avoid stalks having suckers;
Cd avoid stalks that have advantage
as to location; (D look for stalks
that are broad, fat having from II
to IA inch broad leaves; (5) look for
stalks having ears hanging down
yard 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 then be placed in a
dry well ventilated place.
About all that can be said here re.
gArding good cultivation is that one
must always bear in mind the objects
for which we cultivate, which are:
1. To destroy weeds or interfer
ing vegetation.
2. To conserve moisture and admit
air
Early, frequent, shallow, late and
where possible, level cultivation will
on well-prepared seed-beds and under
ordinary seasons, meet requirements
for good practice. Good soil, good seed
good tillage are the three fundamental
principles of successful corn growing