Rural Heritage April/May 2026

at maturity. Ears usually large, 6 to 12 inches in length, 6 to 8 inches in circumference, with 8 to 24 rows of kernels. In larger ears kernels are flat-topped and distinctly wedge shaped. All colors; numerous varieties. The principal type cultivated in the United States. Soft com (Zea mays amylacea). Kernels are smooth, rounded like flint corn. Endosperm all soft

starch. Ears 6 to 10 inches long, 8 to 16 rowed. Chiefly red, blue, white and yellow colors. Several varieties. Grown commercially in southwestern United States, Mexico and South America. Sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata). Horny, wrinkled kernels with remarkably high sugar content. Grown chiefly as a vegetable to be eaten fresh, dried or canned. Two types: (a) 8 to 12 regular rows, broad to medium

kernels; (b) numerous rows very irregular, narrow kernels. Colors chiefly black and white. Several varieties. Pod corn (Zea mays tunicata). Flower glumes form a husk or pod enclosing each kernel. No economic importance; grown only as a curiosity. No varieties. THE PARTS OF THE CORN PLANT. Roots. When a kernel of corn germinates, several temporary roots are sent out, which enable the young plantlet quickly to become established in the soil. The first permanent roots appear soon after the stem has pushed into the air, always developing at joints or nodes about an inch below the surface of the soil regardless of the depth at which the kernel has been planted. These permanent roots grow outward and downward, branching and rebranching until, in a short time ,the top 18 inches of soil is well filled with them. In loose, open soils the roots often penetrate to a distance of 4 or 5 feet. After the corn plants are 20 to 30 inches high, many of the roots extend across the rows 3 or 4 inches beneath the surface, and care must be taken not to injure or disturb them by too deep cultivation. Brace roots develop from the first two or three nodes above the surface of the soil. Upon entering it, they branch and do the work of ordinary feeding roots, but their primary purpose is to brace the plant against winds. The stem of the corn plant is divided by joints (nodes) into a number of sections (internodes). The number of

FARM EQUIPMENT

Sickle Bar Mower • Non-plugging, very ef fi cient mowers • Better regrowth • Optional ground drive, engine drive, or PTO • Trailed or 3 point

Horsedrawn & 3 Pt Cultivators

www.i-jmanufacturing.com (717) 442-9451 We also carry the following: • Garden Tools • Ground Drive PTO Forecarts • Cover Crop Rollers

LLC

10 S. New Holland Rd., Suite 2 Gordonville, PA 17529

Rural Heritage

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