South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-21
PROPER BALANCE
IN CORN GROWING
Relation of Moisture, Heat and
Fertility is important in
Successful Culture.

There are certain fundamental re-
quirements in moisture, heat, and
fertility which everywhere govern
corn yields. A change in the sup
ply of one may make a change in
another advisable. Thus, the moist
ure requirement varies with the
amount OF heat available. In addi-
ton TO water and heat, soil fertility
and seed also must be regarded
among the chief essentials. No one
Of these can be said TO he more i'm
portant than another. Where all
are abundant except one Gas water,
for example). this one becomes the
limiting factor and methods of sup
plying IL becomes the important
means OF increasing the YIELD. In
short, the secret of successful corn
culture is TO maintain a proper bal
ance of moisture, heat, and fertility.
Having laid down these essential.
Q. p. Hartley and L. L. Zook, of the
office OF corn Investigations, bureau
of plant industry. in farmers buile-
tin 773, corn growing under drOughty
conditions. proceed to discuss in de-
tail methods by which this balance
can be maintained. The following
facts are taken from this bulletin,
recently published by the United
States department of agriculture
Corn. the authors point out, pos
sesses characteristic which appear
to make it adapted TO drought condi-
tons, and, on the other hand, has
qualities which limit it's posi-
bilities as a crop for semiarid regions
and call for special adjustments. In
producing a given weight Of feed or
dray matter, corn uses less water
than certain other crops. as oats.
clover, and alfalfa. 1t is deep rooted
and can. If necessary. draw water
from a depth Of ; or feet. In hot.
dry weather the rolling Of the blades
reduces the loss of water. on the
other hand. the heat requirements
and peculiar towering habits of this
crop make ii less adapted TO semia-
rid regions than other grain or for
age crops
Corn makes its entire growth dur
Ing the season of highest tempera-
ture growing best when the Their
mometer registers so degrees TO
100 degrees F. II can not grow
in early spring or late fall, and
lis growth is retarded during the
summer by cold nights or cool
weather. II needs its greatest sup
ply Of moisture during the summer
weeks when droughts are most like
Is ard when rains are less effectiv-
because of losses from evaporation.
In other words. the heat require
ment of corn prevents growth at
times when moisture conditions are
likely 20 be most favorable. while
lack OF moisture frequently retards
..a when heat conditions are
-.r.- ra-o~ab bic. The problem. there
. horc heat is great and moist
ure deficient. is 10 store up moist
here moisture Is plent-
C.- heat deficient. so 20 handle
the soil as to prevent moisture from
lesseninc unduly such heat as may
ne available
In the case OF corn, which differs
in this respect from perfect flower
Ing plants. the setting OF seed and
the flliuc OF the ears are seriously
interfered with by summer droughts-
CORN has two kinds Of flowers the
rasseI or pollen bearer and the seed
forming or Silk-beaTing flowers. The
pollen from one falling on the silk
or the other is necessary 10 the de-
velopment Of grain Droughty con-
ditions often hasten the shedding OF
pollen, but delay the appearance Of