244 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



a very poor stand has been secured, the better plan would 

 be to make an entire new planting. 



296. Distance between rows and hills. The proper 

 spacing of corn plants is affected so much by local condi- 

 tions that little specific information on this point can be 

 given. It is a question that each farmer must decide, by 

 observation and experience, for himself. The following 

 general facts should be kept in mind: 



(1) For greatest production thicker planting should be 

 practiced on rich soils, and soils supplied with an abun- 

 dance of moisture, than on poor or droughty soils. 



(2) Varieties with small or medium sized stalks should 

 be planted thicker than those with large stalks. 



When corn is planted too thick the weight of stover 

 increases and the production of good ears decreases. Too 

 thin spacing will decrease the yield of both stover and 

 grain. 



Distances that are widely applicable in the cotton- 

 belt are: (1) for soils of low fertility, rows 5 feet 

 apart and plants 3 feet, or checks approximately 3 feet, 

 10 inches each way; (2) for soils of medium produc- 

 tiveness, rows 4% feet apart and plants 2% feet, or 

 checks 3 feet, 4 inches each way; (3) for fertile soils 

 well supplied with moisture, rows 4 feet apart and plants 

 \Y% feet, or checks 3^ feet apart each way with two 

 plants in a hill. 



Distance tests at the Alabama and Georgia stations 

 show a small increase in yield from so dividing the 

 space allowed for each plant as to give practically the 

 same distance between plants as between rows. How- 

 ever, wider rows permit of more economical cultiva- 

 tion and as the difference is small it can be well sac- 

 rificed. 



