232 THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



cross rows, and that on account of the comparative smallness of 

 the fields a one-horse machine will drill maize rapidly enough, and 

 can be bought for from ten to twelve dollars ; while a two-horse 

 maize planter, such as is found economical in the larger and more 

 level fields in the North Central States, will cost from thirty to 

 forty dollars. The wheat drill is also 

 frequently used in the North Atlantic 

 States for planting maize. If the third 

 hoe from each end of a wheat drill 

 having eleven hoes, each seven inches 

 apart, is used, maize will be drilled in 

 One-row maize drill with fl^zer i"ows three fcct six iuches apart, and 

 attachment. ^\^q whccls wiU bc twcuty-oue inchcs 



from the drill row, thus serving to mark the land. The differ- 

 ences in method relate to economical farm management, rather 

 than to any material difference in the growth of maize. It is 

 only a question by which method maize may be raised at 

 the least cost, and at the same time given the most effective 

 cultivation. 



306. Method of Distribution. — Fifteen stations have experi- 

 mented on the influence of the method of distribution of seed, 

 the amount of seed per acre remaining the same, and all have 

 found either no difference or comparatively small differences 

 due to methods of distribution. Experiments have been con- 

 ducted at the Illinois Station ^ for five years. Plats were planted 

 at five rates of seeding, ranging from 9,504 to 47,520 grains; 

 and at each of these rates of seeding at four methods of distri- 

 bution : namely, one, two, three and four grains in a place. For 

 three years five grains to a hill were planted. For example, 

 one grain every twelve inches, tw^o grains every twenty-four 

 inches, three grains every thirty-six inches and four grains 

 every forty-eight inches. While the rate of thickness (303) 

 modified the yield of grain and stover, as well as the develop- 



1 111. Bui, 31, p. 354. 



