CORN GROWING 221 



be ten to twenty inches apart. By this planting the maximum 

 amount of feed may be raised on an acre if stalks and ears 

 are both to be used. 



Tillage. — As soon as the corn is planted the field should 

 be harrowed. After the corn is up about two inches, harrow- 

 ing may again be done. For this purpose a common spike- 

 toothed harrow, with the teeth set sloping slightly backward, 

 may be used. A light weeder without wheels is very suitable.' 

 Harrowing on a corn-field, after the plants are up, should be 

 done at a time of day when there is little moisture in the 

 plants. In very early morning many of the tender plants may 

 be snapped off by the harrow teeth. Afternoon is better. On 

 fields which have been harrowed well before planting there is 

 practically no danger from the harrowing after the plants are 

 up. If the field is covered with large stones, this form of culti- 

 vation may cover some of the corn. On smooth fields, young 

 people should never be afraid of doing any damage to the 

 growing corn by the use of a harrow for the first few weeks 

 of its growth. This method of tillage is more rapid than 

 with a common cultivator. It places moisture better. It tills 

 the soil closer to the plants and breaks the sprouts of many 

 more young weeds beneath the surface of the soil. 



After corn is large enough to be broken down by the 

 cross-bars of the harrow or weeder, this method should be 

 stopped. The cultivator may be used the balance of the 

 season. Fine-toothed cultivators are best. Broad shovels are 

 not desirable. Level culture usually gives better results than 

 the " hilling up " method. Corn roots are very shallow and 

 should not be disturbed by a deep cultivation. Thorough 

 preparation of the ground before the corn is planted will make 

 it unnecessary to cultivate the corn-field very deep while the 

 corn is growing. Frequent cultivation will largely take the 

 place of deep cultivation, as it prevents the formation of a 

 crust at the top of the soil. 



■Harvesting and Storing. — Suggestions have already been 



