MANNER OF PLANTING 387 



charred condition of the ensilage as a result. Damage to this extent 

 will make it very unpalatable. 



TIME TO PLANT. Indian corn, or Zea mays, being a semi 

 tropical plant, needs the entire season usually for its development. 

 Some varieties are earlier than others. The calico varieties, sweet 

 corn and the flinty types ripen in a much shorter season than our 

 common dent varieties. They are, however, smaller yielders and 

 therefore not used much for silage purposes. The dent varieties de- 

 mand from 100 to 120 days of fairly good weather for maturity. In 

 order to secure this amount of time the farmer must plant early 

 in May. Corn frozen off in the spring is better than frozen corn in 

 the fall. This is a fact worth remembering. 



MANNER OF PLANTING. In growing corn for silage on land 

 foul with weeds, checking in hills will be found to be the safest meth- 

 od. In other words, in order to force the growth along during the 

 summer to insure early maturity, the ground must be kept clean. 



On sod ground, or in fields which are comparatively clean, drill- 

 ing may be practiced. With drilling there is more uniformity of size 

 in the stalks, and at harvest time the machine runs more smoothly 

 because the stalks are cut one at a time. 



In the corn belt the rows are usually planted 3 feet 6 inches apart. 

 This is the most suitable distance for ease of cultivation with modern 

 farm tools. 



THICKNESS OF PLANTING. There are Objections to Corn Be- 

 ing Planted Too Thick for silage purposes. 



First, the stalks grow up slender, with elongated cells which lack 

 substance. When put in the silo the whole mass shrinks badly. 



Second, the percentage of grain is seriously reduced, thus lessening 

 the feeding value. 



Third, the green fodder when cut will be tasteless because being 

 grown without sufficient sunlight the vital activities in the leaves 

 have not had a chance to perform their functions. 



Fourth, the plants will not withstand heavy winds, the stems being 

 slender and weak. 



When Corn is Planted Too Far Apart. 



First, the stalks grow up rank, the cell walls are heavy, and there 

 is too much deposition of indigestible crude fiber. 



Second, there is a tendency toward late maturity because of the 

 overabundance of plant food furnished each stalk. 



Third, the yield may be materially reduced. 



