Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-12
IOWA FARM NEWS ANDNOTES

| the pollen is mostly wasted. II fertili-
zation IL prevented In this way no
amount OF later rain can cause kernels
to form or make good grain yteid.
The corn crop Is sometimes injured py
hot winds that do less damage to such
crops as alfalfa and the grain sor-
ghums. The problem here is by the
choice of planting time and the selec-
ton of arly-maturing or late matur-
ing varieties to brirg about double
Towering of the corn at times when
! drouth Is least liable to interfere with
fertilization.
Everything corn gets from the soil Is
in liquid form. and the crop can not
grow unless the soil contains moisture
to spare.
/ In our semi-arid regions the soils for
the most part are fertile, and the I'm
ting factor is either. water or heat.
Raising corn may be likened to raising
steam In an engine. Too much water
lowers the Temperatures, whereas too
little water is dangerous. Growth can
take place only while there; 10 prop
er balance between heat and water.
The two must be in the soil at the
same time. Water falling as snow or
rain before heat is present should be
stored in the soil. The boiler should
be. filled before the fire is started.
In northern sections and at high al
titudes the lack of heat limits corn
yields while In southern sections 1t Is
the lack Of moisture. Abundant soil
moisture reduces soil heat-desirable
in the south, but undesirable in the
north. Far north soil with wet
surface is usually cold soil. Here the
conservation Of heat is more important
than the conservation of moisture.
Evaporation keeps the soil cool. Soil
moisture rises to the surface to replace
that which evaporates. Cultivation
checks the rise Of soil moisture to the
surface, enabling the surface to- dry
more rapidly. The dry surface then
becomes warm by taking in heat,
which otherwise would have been
wasted in evaporating water from be-
low. Corn cultivated late in the after.
noon may be frosted that night while
adjoining uncultivated rows escape the
frost. The more rapid evaporation
caused by regent cultivation first cools,
the surface, but as soon as the surface
dries, the soil becomes warm quicker
and the crop grows more rapidly than
II would have done without the culti-
yation.
In northern localities, where lack OF
heat Ia factor limiting corn yields,
summer faliowing and moisture con-
servation tend to keep the soil colo
and seldom give increased yields OF
corn. In southern localities, where lack
If moisture is the Limiting. factor, sum,
mer following and practices which In,
crease soil moisture give increased
yiclds of corn. II - 4ygf
In the southern part of the great,
plaing lack Of moisture is the Chief:
limiting factor. Ignoring special In
stances and speaking g<nrally, every
operation should be conducted in sucns
manner and at such time as 70 enables
the soil to take IN and retain water
But Just how and when is this to be
doneo Should the land be plowedI
deep Eor shallewS inz thesfAileQF ms'he
spring? On what date should corn pe
planted, and how many times should
# S r esl a'sss.io. hi
correctly by rule or by average. Eacn;
field of corn presents combination 0t
conditions which demand consideration.
in answering these questions. Time or
planting tests conducted yearly for Ivy.
years at particular station mlgnl
show that the highest average veg
had been obtained from corn. panteq
on May 10, and the next spring mignt
be 90 unusually warm and forward ~
to warrant planting in April 81