GROW AMERICAN SWEET CORN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 466, 22 September 1928, Page 30

GROW AMERICAN SWEET CORN

Judging by sales and the increasing demand for seed throughout each planting season, it would seem that the popularity of this delicious dish is annually increasing, and the home gardener is alive to its value as a vegetable of no small worth. Sweet corn is indeed a delicious dish, easily grown, and relished by all. We will contend that It is not sufficiently known, but as previously remarked, there is every good reason to believe that the time is not far distant when it will be grown in every home garden in New Zealand. Any moderately rich garden soil will suit this crop, provided the position given it be sheltered and sunny. The seed may be sown from September to January, ft is advisable a week or two before planting to turn the soil over and thoroughly work in a liberal supply of well-rotted horse manure. This may be further supplemented with the following fertilisers worked in the soil a day or two before sowing the seed: Superphosphates, Soz. to every square yard; bone dust, Joz. to every square yard; sulphate of potash, loz. to every square yard. In addition, an after application of nitrate of soda, at the rate of loz. to

the square yard may be applied when the plants are fairly established, and again when the cobs are beginning to set. Sow the seeds in rows from 9in. to a foot apart, according to variety, and the rows 3ft apart. Hill the plants when they are about Ift high. Encourage a quick, healthy growth by constant cultivation and watering. The cobs should be pulled as soon as the tassels wither away, and when they are quite soft and tender like green peas. To prepare for the pot, remove the husk and tassel, and plunge cobs into boiling water. Cook from 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot with melted butter. Among the many varieties offering, our experience favours Golden Bantam as being one of the very best sorts on the market. Whatever be your selection, see that you include at least one packet of sweet corn in your collection of spring seeds.