72 FIELD CROPS 



does not do well, and seed that would normally germinate 

 and grow strongly may be entirely lost if planted when con- 

 ditions are not suitable. Generally, it is safe to delay plant- 

 ing until there is every indication of favorable conditions of 

 soil and weather. Corn planted May 20th may easily out- 

 strip in growth and yield that planted under less favorable 

 conditions ten days earlier. 



It is quite obvious that no definite date for planting can 

 be set, even for one locality, and much less for the United 

 States. It is usually well to plant as early as soil and weather 

 conditions will warrant. The date will naturally vary in 

 different parts of the United States, from March 1st in the 

 South to June 1st in the extreme North. The accompanying 

 map, Figure 23, shows the average date when corn planting 

 is begun in the various sections, as compiled from a large 

 mass of information on this subject collected by the Bureau 

 of Statistics of the Department of Agriculture. 



80. Depth of Planting. Since corn thrives best in a warm, 

 moist soil, it is obvious that rather shallow planting will be 

 most likely to furnish the best conditions at the season of the 

 year that corn is usually planted. The depth must neces- 

 sarily be varied with the condition of the soil. The seed 

 must be planted deep enough so that it can get sufficient 

 moisture to germinate, but it is not necessary or desirable 

 to plant it deeper. On light or very loose soils, it should be 

 planted deeper than on heavy soils. On soil that has been 

 well prepared, it should not be necessary to plant deeper 

 than 2 inches to get sufficient moisture, and 1 inch is to be 

 preferred if there is enough moisture present. 



In some of the drier sections of the corn belt, listing is 

 practiced. Listing is planting corn in the bottom of a fur- 

 row from 3 to 5 inches deep and covering it with only 1 or 2 

 inches of soil. As the corn grows and the field is cultivated, 



