182 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



It will be noted that where corn was grown continuously the yields 

 have declined regardless of the character of the manure or fertilizer 

 applied, whereas corn grown in a rotation has increased decidedly in yield 

 when either manure or fertilizers have been used. 



Plowing for Corn. — Plowing for corn may be done either in the fall, 

 winter or spring. In many sections of the country fall plowing gives better 

 results than spring plowing. The difference, however, is not sufficient to 

 justify the advice that fall plowing should be universal. Every acre that 

 is plowed in the fall or winter facilitates getting crops in the ground at 

 the proper season in the spring. Deep plowing for corn deposits the 

 trash and manure to a greater depth and induces the roots to go deeper 

 into the soil, thus coming into contact with more plant food and soil 

 moisture from which to draw nourishment. Deep plowing enables the 

 soil to absorb a larger proportion of the rainfall, thus increasing its capacity 

 for water. The further preparation of the seed-bed by disking and har- 

 rowing should leave it in a loose, friable condition to a considerable depth. 

 Such a seed-bed is in marked contrast to the compact and finely pulver- 

 ized one that is essential to wheat. 



Manures and Fertilizers for Corn. — The amount and character of 

 fertilizer for corn varies greatly in different localities, depending on the 

 character of soil, length of time it has been in cultivation, and the rota- 

 tion of crops. No definite formula is applicable to any very large terri- 

 tory. As a rule, no crop makes better use of barnyard manure than corn. 

 Six to ten tons of stable manure to an acre of grass sod is generally suf- 

 ficient. In growing corn, all of the nitrogen needed should be secured 

 from the manure and leguminous crops that enter into the rotation. On 

 soils not in a high state of fertility, the manure may be supplemented by 

 about 200 pounds per acre of acid phosphate. In portions of Indiana, 

 Illinois and Iowa, rock phosphate may be advantageously substituted for 

 acid phosphate. On sandy soils and on swampy soils some potash may be 

 advantageously used. 



In the absence of barnyard manure good corn crops may be secured 

 by the liberal use of a complete fertilizer in which phosphoric acid is the 

 dominant ingredient. The amount of such fertilizer and its exact com- 

 position will depend on the character and condition of the soil in question. 

 The average composition of such a fertilizer would be from 2 to 3 per 

 cent of nitrogen, 7 to 10 per cent of phosphoric acid and 3 to 6 per cent 

 of potash. The amount to use will range from 100 to 500 pounds per 

 acre, depending on location. The character of fertilizer and the amount 

 required can best be ascertained by actual test. In general, applications 

 of less than 200 pounds may be applied through the fertilizer attachment 

 to the corn planter. Where large amounts are used, it is best to distribute 

 it throughout the soil before planting the corn. 



Experiments that have been in progress for twenty years at the Ohio 

 Experiment Station emphasize the importance of phosphorus in corn 



