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uniformly nourished, as we have previously stated; when applied broadcast, a more uniform 

 fertility is secured with greater benefit to the crops. Many farmers apply the manure broad 

 cast and harrow it in well, afterward using commercial fertilizers of some kind in the hills 

 or drills, according to the method of planting; this secures an early start to the plants and 

 increases the formation of root-fibers. Most of the corn-planters and drills have the means 

 of distributing commercial fertilizers near the seed at the time of sowing. It is customary 

 in some localities to spread the manure broadcast upon the sod before plowing, and then turn 

 it under with the plow. We do not recommend this practice, as it buries the manure too 

 deeply in the soil, and under the sod where it will remain too far away from the reach of the 

 young plants at the time they require its nourishment to secure a vigorous start; besides, 

 much of it might be lost altogether by leaching into the subsoil. The most successful results 

 will attend the application nearer the surface, by plowing first, and harrowing in the manure 

 afterward. Even with shallow plowing, the manure should lie above the sod in the soil. 



When the soil has been previously cultivated for other crops, a shallow plowing in of 

 manure is not, of course, objectionable. Chemical fertilizers, except those made especially for 

 use in hills and drills, are generally sowed broadcast and lightly harrowed in. It is not well 

 for the seed to come in direct contact with the manure or strong chemical fertilizers of any 

 kind, as the germ of the seed is liable to be injured by them; to avoid this difficulty it should 

 always be slightly covered or mixed with a little soil when applied in hills or drills. Shallow 

 plowing for most soils is best for corn, as the most fertile portion is that which has been 

 exposed to atmospheric influences, and where the rains and sun can exert the most power; 

 consequently, as a general rule, the richest soil is near the surface. For most soils, unless 

 they are very deep and permeable, plowing to the depth of five or six inches is sufficient 

 for lands that have been cultivated, shallow plowing with deep pulverization being the most 

 desirable. 



Planting. The time for planting differs according to the latitude and character of 

 the season. It is said that the old Indian rule was, &quot; When the oak-leaves are grown to 

 the size of a squirrel s foot, it is time to plant corn.&quot; When the season is ordinarily early, and 

 not too rainy, the time of planting this grain in the extreme Northern States, or in Canada, is 

 in the early part of June; in Massachusetts and States of a similar climate, from the 10th to the 

 20th of May; in the Middle States and those of the same latitude, from the first to the middle 

 of May; in the Southern States of a latitude and climate similar to that of Virginia, from 

 the middle to the last of April; in sections farther South it is done in March. In some 

 seasons the planting can be done a week or two earlier than the usual time, while in others, 

 when unusually cold or wet, it will of necessity be delayed as much later or longer. It can 

 also be done considerably earlier on high than on low lands. It is always best to delay 

 planting until the weather is favorable, as corn will not grow until the ground is dry and 

 warm, and if planted when cold and wet the seed will be liable to decay in the ground before 

 germinating; still, all farmers realize the necessity of getting corn started as early as practi 

 cable, and it should not be delayed later than necessary for the welfare of the crop. Early 

 planting, when the season will admit, will give better results than that which is late; besides, 

 it can be cultivated earlier, at a period when the farmer has more time to attend to it than 

 when planted later, and is less liable to be disturbed by birds and insects, or injured by 

 diseases of any kind when planted early. Early planting is especially desirable in those 

 sections subject to early frosts in autumn, as both the grain and fodder are injured by it; 

 hence, the earliest planting that the season will allow is always to be preferred. 



Hill and Drill Planting. Corn-planting may be done by planting-machines or 

 drills, and the seed may be deposited either in hills or drills, some preferring the old method 

 of hill-planting, while others the newer and more recently adopted one of drilling. When 



hill-planting is in squares, the corn may be cultivated both ways, which stirs the soil more 

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