164 



CORN 



a few bushels in favor of the shallow planting. Of course, Illinois 

 conditions are different from those of some of the other states, and 

 must be interpreted accordingly. 



The Texas Station recommends about three inches as the proper 

 depth for most sods, and three years tests in Iowa show an increased 

 yield from the shallower planting, say 1 to 3 inches over the deeper 

 planting 4 to 6 inches. 



Distance Bnween the Rows. The distance be- 

 tween the rows of corn varies from three feet in the 

 north and west to more than six feet in the southeast. 



The factors Which decide how far apart the rows 

 should be are: 



First, the fertility of the soil. A thin soil, low 

 in organic matter and especially lacking in ni- 

 trogen, produces very little growth of foliage. The 

 roots must feed over a large area ; consequently the 

 rows are set further apart. A piece of sod land which 

 tends to force the corn along and produce excessive 

 tillering, may be planted in rows closer together. 

 Extensive tests in Illinois* to determine the proper distance be- 

 tween rows resulted in the following conclusions: 



1. On all ordinary Corn Belt land of the northern part of Illinois, 

 plant corn hills not more than 36 inches apart and plant at least three 

 kernels per hill. 



2. In central Illinois on the common brown silt loam prairie land, 

 of a productive capacity greater than 50 bushels per acre, plant corn 

 39.6 inches between hills and drop three kernels per hill (with 39.6 

 inches between rows there are exactly five rows per rod). 



3. In central Illinois on the common prairie land, of lower pro- 

 ductive capacity than 50 bushels per acre, as for instance average Corn 

 Belt land, plant the hills 36 inches apart and drop two kernels per hill. 



TABLE NO. 3+ 

 SHOWING YIELD PER ACRE AS AFFECTED BY DISTANCE BETWEEN 



ROWS 



EDGE DROP 

 PLANTER PLATE. 

 This plate takes into 

 consideration the 

 thickness of tlia 

 kernel which is 

 the most constant- 

 character. 



An Ohio test covering a three-year average shows that the number 

 of plants per acre being the same^ there is a gain of 4 1-2 bushels per 



'Illinois Bulletin No. 126 



