212 CORN CROPS 



field is comparatively fallow, cultivation conserves some 

 moisture as in any fallow soil. After the corn crop is 

 thoroughly estabhshed and a layer of surface roots inter- 

 cepts capillary moisture from below, the principal service 

 of cultivation is to destroy weeds. Weeds compete with 

 the plant for both water and plant food. 



GROWING COBN FOR SILAGE 



146. The general discussion has thus far had in view 

 the culture of corn for grain. The recommendations taken 

 as a whole apply quite as well to growing silage corn. 

 It is generally true that the best quality of silage is made 

 from corn grown under conditions for producing the 

 maximum grain crop. 



For grain it is necessary that the variety chosen should 

 mature sound grain, but in the case of silage corn it need 

 not mature. In the Southern States, and in practically 

 all the Corn Belt States, perhaps the best silage variety 

 is also the best standard variety grown for grain. In 

 New England and on higher elevations in all Northeastern 

 States, the most profitable silage variety will probably 

 be too late to mature. At elevations of 1000 feet or more, 

 seed may be secured at the same latitude but grown 500 

 to 1000 feet lower elevation. The growing season of 

 corn usually shortens about one day to each 100 feet 

 increase of elevation. At lower elevations it will be neces- 

 sary to go 200 to 300 miles south for late seed. Dent 

 corns are usually preferred for silage, Learning being 

 perhaps the most popular dent variety for this purpose. 

 At higher elevations very early dents, sweet corns, and 

 in some cases flint corns, are best. 



As pointed out heretofore (page 179), the total weight of 

 dry matter increases with rate of planting, but the propor- 



