The Carlisle independent., 1915-12-23
li.-PRlNCIPLES OF CORN GROWING.
By ". J. Jernigan, Boys Club Special.
 ist, U. S. Dept of Agriculture.

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 we'll 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: CD 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.
 The 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 ganic matter, such as stable manure or green manuring 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 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 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 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 at 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 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 increased length in proportion to the diameter of the cob that the percentage of grain is increased. A safe rule 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 ithe 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; (4) look for stalks that are broad, fiat, having from 12 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 then be placed in 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 Drincinles Of successful corn groRinG