SEEDING OF SILAGE CORN 157 
to avoid cutting the roots, which soon ramify in 
every direction and fill the whole surface soil. 
These feeding roots should not be disturbed. 
Seeding 
The quantity of seed to sow will depend to 
some extent on the variety and the character of 
soil. On good lands, the large-growing varieties 
will probably give the largest yield if planted in 
rows from two and one-half to three feet apart, 
and the plants six to eight inches apart in the row. 
This will require about fourteen to twenty quarts 
of seed per acre, depending on the size of the 
grain. Seedings as thick as this will permit of a 
very considerable setting of ears, although not so 
large a proportion as to make the silage too rich 
in digestible carbohydrates. 
Time of cutting, and yield 
The best time of cutting is when the ears are 
beginning to harden, and while the lower leaves 
are still green. Of course, the season will influence 
this point to a considerable extent. In dry seasons, 
the lower leaves will become dry before the ears 
have reached the proper stage of development, 
although there will be appropriation of food by 
the plant so long as any green leaves remain; 
