COBy TILLAGE 



169 



year it is better to plant uplands -very earl}' or at a medium 

 date. The general l^elief inclines to the advantage of 

 the very early planting of uplands, or as soon as danger 

 of killing frost is past. However, success is sometimes 

 made by planting at almost any date between the last 

 killing frost and the first of June. 



Incidental considerations sometimes govern the date of planting. 

 For example, on land that is especially 

 liable to the injury of young corn plants 

 by the smaU budworm (see Par. 189), it is 

 regarded as advantageous either to plant 

 very early, or still better, to postpone 

 planting until about the first of ^lay. 

 The common idea in postponing plant- 

 ing is that the soil becomes so warm as 

 to discourage the insects. Probablj' a 

 truer explanation is found in the more 

 rapid growth of the late-planted corn, 

 which sooner grows beyond the stage in 

 which it is attacked by the budworm. 



Early planting has a tendency to pro- 

 duce a smaller stalk than late planting, a 

 desirable result. Corn planted early re- 

 quires a greater number of cultivations. 



Late planting, while making a very 

 tall stalk, reduces the injury from weevil 

 by reason of the late date of maturity. 

 Late-planted corn, if harvested before 

 becoming thoroughly dry, requires more 

 ventilation of the cribs than is generally 

 necessary with earl3'-planted corn. 



159. Replanting. — This is generally done by dropping 

 the seed by hand and covering with a hoe. This involves 

 many unnecessary motions and much waste of time. An 



Fi<j. 84. — Hand Cokx 

 Planter, for Re- 

 planting. 



