644 BGAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



than a little late. The right time we think is when the gi'ound is warm 

 and in condition, whether it be the last of April or the middle of May. 



In the spring of 1900, the ground being warm and in good condition, 

 we planted a sixty-acre clover field in the last days of April, a good shower 

 of rain having fallen after planting. We gave the field a good haiTowing 

 before the corn came up. We had an excellent stand and gave two good 

 cultivations with the cultivator and had our corn clean and ground in 

 fine condition with a growth of about 18 or twenty inches when the rains 

 that never ceased until harvest was over set in, and we did not get to 

 cultivate any more until the last of June. The result was the corn having 

 a good start gi-ew right along and made an average of 60 bushels per 

 acre. While some of my neighbors who do not believe in planting corn, 

 no matter what the condition of the ground may be in, until the 15th of 

 May, did not get to cultivate their corn at all until after harvest, result 

 was plenty of weeds and no corn. 



In planting we use a check rower and drill combined. We prefer to 

 check corn whenever possible, cleaner cultivation can be maintained with 

 the hill system, as the soil can be stirred on all sides of the group of 

 plants. In checking we plant the rows three and a half feet each way, 

 thinning to two stalks in the hill. In drilling the rows the same distance 

 apart and corn twenty inches in the row. As to whether hill or drilled 

 corn will yield the most experimental work thus far conducted indicates 

 that it makes but little difference, so far as yield is concerned, whether 

 corn is grown in hills or drills. As to the cultivation of the crop if the 

 ground is thoroughly prepared before planting the corn is almost half 

 cultivated. Too much stress can not be laid upon clean, thorough cultiva- 

 tion of the growing crop. The soil should be kept well stirred in time 

 of drought. If drought prevails stirring the soil will conserve its moisture. 

 If a rain should fall immediately after planting we would harrow the corn 

 before it got through the ground; if cloudy we would roll and follow with 

 the harrow; we think corn should be cultivated as soon as the ground is 

 in condition after every rain. Would plow five times. Corn being of the 

 grass family and having no top root it is essentially a surface feeder, the 

 small roots running out in all directions at a depth of four or five inches 

 from the surface. For this reason shallow cultivation of the crop is 

 advocated. On our heavy clay soil, however, if we have had a heavy 

 lain before the first plowing, we would give rather deep cultivation, about 

 four inches the first plowing, after that shallow cultivation of the crop 

 has given the greatest yield. 



In concluding we will say let us try to do our best in the cultivation 

 of this crop the coming spring; plow at least 7 or 8 inches deep, thoroughly 

 prepare the soil and give good and frequent cultivation. No other cereal 

 crop yields the farmer so large a return for his labor as the Indian corn 

 It is the king of the cereals. 



