CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION. 53 



At the first germination of weed seed in the spring the plowed 

 ground should be double-disced. In doubling in this manner do so by 

 over-lapping the disc one-half and thus the ground is left with a level 

 surface. Ten days should now be given for the germination of weed 

 seed then double-disc again, then with a spike tooth harrow, work the 

 ground once at an angle, then double-harrow the way the rows are to 

 be run, and the field is ready for planting. This, to some, will seem ex- 

 cessive tillage of the soil previous to planting, but I feel well repaid for 

 such work later, in the absence of weeds, in the better condition of the 

 soil for the first cultivation, and in the additional plant food thus liber- 

 ated by such tillage. 



Planting. — Experience and observation have taught me that there 

 are two mistakes pretty generally made in the planting of corn. One is 

 to plant too thickly, the other to rely somewhat on replanting done by 

 hand or otherwise where hills are missing. In regard to the former, 

 my plan is to plant both rows and hills as close together as I can con- 

 veniently work them with a two-horse cultivator, then put just two 

 grains to the hill. As to the latter, I do not inter-replant. If the stand 

 is too poor, disc and plant over. My planter is set to plant the rows 3 

 feet, 4 inches apart, and I use a 3-foot, 6-inch wire. I have done some 

 careful experimenting in regard to checking versus drilling. I advise 

 checking, and in no instance to drill, unless your rows run north and 

 south, so that the sun will at least warm the soil once each day. 



I find that the trouble of corn being planted too thickly does not 

 come from a lack of plant food to nourish it, as is generally supposed, 

 for that we can supply, but it lies in the plants shading themselves and 

 the ground, thus robbing themselves of the heat, sunlight and air. I 

 endeavor to plant an average depth of 2% inches, varying deeper if the 

 ground is light and dry, and shallow if the ground be damp and cold. 

 I use an edge drop .planter with attachment for commercial fertilizer, 

 and after repeatedly experimenting have settled on checking 100 pounds 

 per acre or drilling 150 pounds per acre of the fertilizer. A larger 

 amount is at a larger cost, and also produces corn coarser and more 

 irregular in grain, and a much larger amount produces suckers and 

 smut. 



Cultivation. — A farmer does not always get just what he wants, 

 but, weather permitting, I always want my corn cultivated just four 

 times, no more, no less, and am very particular about how it is done ; 

 preferring to do it myself. 



You will knoAV from what I have said on tilth of the soil before 

 planting that I can cultivate it very young. I use a six shovel riding 



