150 



THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



186. The best time to plant. The best time to plant corn 

 varies with the locality, the season, and the soil. No definite 

 calendar date can be set for any given area. Mid-season plant- 

 ings are usually the most successful. The accompanying table 

 shows the average planting-time range in various sections : 



TIME OF PLANTING CORN IN CERTAIN REGIONS 1 



187. How deep to plant. Corn is planted only sufficiently 

 deep to insure moisture for prompt germination. The proper 

 depth will vary from one to two and one-half inches. The 

 looser, drier, warmer, and more granular the soil and the 

 warmer the air, the deeper the kernels are planted. Corn 

 should be planted shallow early in the season, and the depth of 

 planting should be increased as the season advances. 



188. Cultivation of corn. The objects of cultivation are 

 (i) to destroy weeds which are objectionable because they use 

 plant food and moisture needed by the corn plants ; (2) to con 

 serve moisture by keeping on the surface a mulch, or blanket, 

 of loose soil ; (3) to provide more favorable conditions for the 

 plant,, thus making food available for the growing crop. 



Surface-planted corn is ordinarily harrowed once or twice 

 with a smoothing harrow before the corn germinates. This 

 early cultivation stirs the surface, thus preventing the formation 

 of a crust, and destroys the young weeds and grass as soon as 

 they begin to grow. Harrowing should be repeated when the 

 plants are a few inches high. 



1 Year Hook of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1910, p. 491. 



