26S STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



fourteen to eighteen inches apart in rows three feet eight inches apart. Where 

 corn hay is desired, the corn is sometimes drilled with an ordinary grain drill. 



It is interesting to note that in some sections of the United States, notably in 

 the South where the soil is poor, corn is sometimes planted in hills six feet apart 

 each way, 



THE BEST DEPTH. 



The best depth is such that the seed will rest in moist soil. At the same time 

 the nearer it can be to the surface and still have sufficient moisture, the more it 

 will profit from the sunshine. These two conditions will depend upon your soil 

 and upon your management of it. A greater depth is usually required in sands 

 than in clay soils. 



THE >'EXT STEP. 



After planting, harrow often enough to keep the surface of the soil mellow and 

 to destroy weeds. This should be kept up till the corn is ready for the cultivator. 

 The danger to the corn from the harrow teeth is not so great as would appear, 

 but if the corn is planted in drills it is worth while to harrow crosswise rather 

 than lengthwise of the rows. 



THE UEST DEPTH TO CULTIVATE. 



In cultivating, aim to keep the soil thoroughly stirred to a depth of two inches. 

 The first cultivation might be deeper than this if the teeth are not run too close 

 to the plants. If the ground has been previously well cared for, however, two 

 inches is deep enough. 



THE BEST CULTIVATOK. 



That depends upon your soil. Use the cultivator that keeps your soil in best 

 condition and freest from weeds. If you can accomplish this with the narrow 

 shoveled cultivator, you have the added advantage of a smoother surface than 

 could be gotten with the wider shovels and this means less loss of moisture by 

 evaporation. 



Question i}. Why? 



HOW OFTEN SHALL WE CL'LTrVATK. 



Experiment 2. (a) Cultivate your field of corn the usual number of times. 



(b) Set apart four rotes and cultivate these once per week not over two inches 

 deep till tasseling time. 



(c) Set apart four rows and cultivate two inches deep once per week till tassel- 

 ing time and then once per week for three weeks thereafter. 



, (d) "Husk or cut and husk, the two inner rows of each of these four roxcs and 

 also two rows adjacent to these and compare results. Or if you like, take five 

 rods from each of the two rows for the test. 



(e) Note the diffenrences in growth, appearance and yield. 



(f) Report results. 



THE VARIETY OF CORN TO GROW. 



Any variety that does w-ell and gives reasonably good yields is all right. 

 Having selected your variety then proceed not only to give it a fair chance, but 

 to improve it. 



Strive: 



1. To increase its productiveness both 



As to grain and 

 As to fodder, 



2. To shorten its period of maturity, 



3. To develop an ideal ear, 

 This means one 



(a) Of good length, 

 (,h) Well filled at tip and butt, 

 (c) With straight rows set well together, 

 id) With deep kernels of rather uniform depth throughout, 

 (e) With uniform color of kernel and cob, 

 {f) Of high proportion of corn to cob. 



