CULTURE OF MAIZE 227 



maize is planted on old sod land, it is frequently advisable to 

 delay planting in order to avoid cut worms and other allied 

 insects. (329) 



303, Rate of Planting. — In securing maximum yields of grain 

 and stover very much depends upon the rate of seeding and the 

 uniformity of distribution. The thickness of planting depends 

 upon the soil, the climate, the variety and the purpose for which 

 it is grown. In some of the Southern States maize is planted in 

 hills five feet apart and one stalk produced per hill. In the 

 New England States it is planted 3.5 feet apart and three to 

 four stalks are raised per hill. In one experiment at the Georgia 

 Station^ a larger yield of maize was obtained where 2,184 stalks 

 were raised per acre than by thicker planting. In another 

 experiment at the Connecticut Station^ a greater yield of grain 

 and of water-free fodder was obtained with 21,780 stalks per 

 acre than by thicker or thinner seeding. In other words, the 

 best results with dent maize were obtained in Connecticut with 

 ten times as thick planting as in Georgia. These results are 

 doubtless unusual, but they indicate possible extremes. 



The Illinois Station tested for three years six rates of seeding 

 ranging from 5,940 grains to 47,520 grains per acre; and for 

 five years rates ranging from 9,504 grains to 47,520 grains per 

 acre. Five plats of each rate were planted each year under 

 different methods of distribution. The size of the whole plant 

 and of the ear increased uniformly as the planting became 

 thinner. The proportion of ears to stalks also increased. The 

 total weight of fodder increased uniformly as the planting 

 increased in thickness. The total weight of grain was greatest 

 tAvo years when 23,760 grains were planted; two years when 

 11,880 grains were planted, and one year when 9,504 grains 

 were planted. In this last instance the total yield was small, 

 the season being exceptionally unfavorable for maize. The 



1 Ga. BuL 10, p. 148. t 



2 Conn- Rpt 1889, p. 16. 



