268 COMN CROPS 



a 3-8-5 fertilizer formula, or if the manure is deficient, up 

 to 1000 to 1200 pounds of fertilizer of the same formula. 

 In some cases, growers raising sweet com place not only 

 the above amount of manure on their ground, but some- 

 times more, and add the larger amount of fertilizer, as 

 well. 



197. Distance between the rows in planting is from 

 30 to 42 inches. Sometimes the distance between the 

 hills in the rows is but 24 inches, and other times it will 

 extend to 36 inches. The general custom is, with the 

 smaller-growing varieties, to lessen the distance, whereas 

 with the large-growing varieties, such as Stowell, the dis- 

 tance is increased so that each plant may have a normal 

 amount of space for full development. More seed is gen- 

 erally planted in the hill than is required, from five to 

 eight seeds being dropped in each. Later, this corn is 

 thinned to three or four stalks to the hill. By this pro- 

 cess the three or four best developed plants are allowed 

 to remain. 



The weeder is used soon after the seed is planted, or a 

 fine-tooth harrow. When the corn has broken ground, 

 the weeding is generally discontinued, and a fine-tooth 

 cultivator used. This may be a one-row or a two-row 

 cultivator. The general plan at first in cultivation is to 

 till rather deeply, especially in the middle of the row 

 between the plants, later tilling more shallow. The 

 corn plant requires constant tillage and a good soil 

 mulch for its best development and conservation of the 

 moisture. Hand hoeing would be necessary if weeds were 

 troublesome, especially if the plot was not check-rowed. 

 However, there are some men that go to the extra care 

 of check-rowing their corn, and cultivating in two direc- 

 tions, then omitting the hand hoeing. It may be an ad- 



