CORN TILLAGE 167 



157. Depth of planting. Corn may be planted and 

 come up well at almost any depth between 1 and 4 inches. 

 The general rule is to plant it just deep enough to insure 

 a continuous supply of moisture. Hence, planting late 

 in the season on a dry, loose seed-bed may require the seed 

 to be covered with 3 or even 4 inches of soil. In the 



FIG. 82. A ONE-BOW CORN PLANTER. 



earlier part of the season 1^ to 3 inches may be considered 

 the best depth for most conditions. 



The depth of rooting is not strictly governed by the 

 depth of planting, since the few roots thrown out near the 

 sprouting kernel are not the ones from which the plant draws 

 most of its water and food (Fig. 83). Most of the perma- 

 nent roots originate at the crown, which is usually about 1 

 inch beloW the surface of the soil, regardless of the depth 

 of planting. 



