FIELD CORN IN MASSACHUSETTS 11 



Planting 



Early planting is of great importance, as this crop requires every day of growing 

 weather between frosts for maximum production. But it is of no use to plant 

 before the soil is warmed up and the seed bed is well prepared. A good rule is to 

 plant corn while apple trees are in bloom or when oak leaves are the size of squir- 

 rel's ears. Check row planting on level land where soil erosion is not serious 

 allows cultivation both ways and is an advantage in controlling weeds. Dipping 

 the seed in tar or some effective crow repellent is important to prevent crows 

 and other birds from scratching out newly planted seed. 



The amount of seed necessary to plant an acre will vary with the variety and 

 to some extent with the purpose for which it is being grown. Low-growing, 

 early-maturing varieties should be planted relatively thickly in rows which are 

 comparatively close together to produce maximum yields; while for tall-growing, 

 late-maturing varieties the converse is true. Seeding rates are often heavier when 

 corn is grown for silage than when it is grown for grain. The distance between 

 rows will vary from 36 to 42 inches. The size of kernel, which varies from one 

 variety to another and between different grades of the same variety, will also 

 influence the seeding rate. 



The seeding rate, therefore, will vary from 8 to 15 pounds to the acre, depend- 

 ing upon the variety grown, the distance between rows, and the grade of seed 

 planted. The best yield of sound ears will probably result when there are three 

 and occasionally four stalks to the hill with check-planted corn, and one stalk 

 every nine to twelve inches of drilled row. 



The same rate holds true for best silage if full ear development is desired. 

 Thicker planting, however, on fertile soil of adequate moisture will result in some- 

 what greater yield of dry matter and total digestible nutrients, but fewer ears 

 and lower feeding value per ton. For this reason, planting at a six-inch spacing 

 or less is seldom recommended except for greatest bulk yields or for green fodder 

 where finer stems are desirable. 



Cultivating 



If the seed bed has been well prepared, later cultivation costs may be lessened. 

 The last harrowing should immediately precede planting in order that no weeds 

 may get a flying start. Another harrowing with the smoothing harrow or weeder 

 just before the corn comes up, and again repeated lengthwise of the rows after 

 the corn is three or four inches high, will probably save two trips with the culti- 

 vator and several men with hoes. 



There is no advantage in deep cultivation at all, except as a final resort to tear 

 up a rank growth of weeds. And it is very important that all la'ter cultivations 

 be shallow to avoid real damage to the vast system of fine feeding roots of the 

 corn. 



Harvesting 



Silage corn should be cut before a killing frost, when the grain is at the hard 

 dough or glazing stage and the leaves are mostly green. Stage of maturity at 

 harvest is one of the principal factors which determine the amount and quality 

 of nutrients obtained from an acre of corn, as is well illustrated in the following 

 data from the North Dakota Experiment Station. 



