CORN 



47 



later than the best time, it will be wise throughout most of the typical 

 corn belt, and especially in the northernmost districts, to resort to 

 varieties of corn of earlier maturity than those generally grown in the 

 locality. In the Southern states the season is so long that there is a 

 much wider range in the planting period. A uniform stand of vigorous 

 plants is most easily secured by deferring planting until the soil is in the 

 proper moisture and temperature condition. 



Several of the state experiment stations have conducted tests extend- 

 ing over a number of years relative to the best time to plant corn. As 

 an average of six years' work at the Ohio Experiment Station there was 

 little difference in yield in planting any time between the 1st and 20th 

 of May. For dates much later than the 20th there was a marked reduc- 

 tion in yield. Planting in the last week in April was nearly as good as 



Time of Planting, June 6th. x 



planting between the 1st and 20th of May. It is better to plant too early 

 than to plant too late. Failure in case of early planting may be corrected 

 by replanting, but there is no remedial measure for a planting that is 

 made too late. 



Rate of Planting.— A full stand of corn is essential. The number of 

 plants per acre will vary with the fertility of the soil, the kind of corn 

 and the purpose for which it is grown. Fertile soils will support more 

 plants per acre than poor ones. Small varieties may be more thickly 

 planted than large ones, and an abundant moisture supply in the soil 

 will mature more plants than when dry. When planted for grain, 10,000 

 to 12,000 plants per acre are probably best throughout the greater portion 

 of the corn belt. In the South, on thinner soils, fewer plants are often 

 desirable. If grown largely for fodder or ensilage, corn may be planted 

 one-quarter thicker than when grown for grain. 



1 Courtesy of Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station , Bulletin 282, "Corn Experiments." 



