Dry Farming In Colorado 
27 
How to Plant .—Corn should be planted in rows 3y 2 feet 
apart. If drilled on the dry land there should be one seed about 
every 18 to 22 inches. If checkrowed, only two kernels to the 
hill should be planted. 
In very dry localities where experience shows difficulty of 
getting sufficient moisture to produce a crop, the rows may be 
planted 7 feet apart, or double the usual distance. When thoroly 
cultivated, such wide planting insures a crop in years when 
ordinary planting fails. With such wide planting, the seed may 
be put in a little thicker, 15 to 18 inches, in the row when drilled. 
This method of planting has been tried with success in several 
Colorado plains localities. 
Varieties .—There are an infinite number of corn varieties, but 
owing to the altitude and the shortness of the season, only the 
short season or so-called northern corns should be planted. Of 
the native varieties which have been tried out, the Swadley Dent, 
the White Australian Flint, and Parson’s High Altitude corn have 
given very excellent results. For the more northern portions of 
the Colorado plains area, Pride of the North, Minnesota No. 13, 
Minnesota No. 23, and Wisconsin No. 7 have been tried and give 
good results. Of the imported corns, Minnesota No. 13 and 
Wisconsin No. 7 have been among the best. Minnesota No. 23 
has not been tested a very long period of time, but gives promises. 
For dry-land forage purppses, it is unwise to plant the large¬ 
eared, late-maturing types of corn. They are more subject to 
injury, will not produce as heavy yields and will not mature seed 
with any certainty. 
Cultivation .—The major portion of corn cultivation should 
be done in the preparation of the seed bed. Cultivation after 
planting should be relatively shallow and frequent enough to 
prevent weeds gaining a foothold, and prevent the formation of 
a crust. For this purpose, the use of a type of cultivator having 
numerous shovels to the gang should be used. Numerous small 
shovels work up the entire surface thoroly and do a better job 
than the larger shovels as ordinarily used. Cultivation should 
be approximately 4 inches deep. It is seldom wise to go deeper, 
as root pruning becomes severe and very injurious, especially in 
dry times. 
Harvesting .—For forage purposes it should be the plan of 
the dry farmer to put his corn crop largely in the silo. Corn 
should be allowed to mature pretty well, at least to mature until 
the ears are well dented and glazed before the crop is harvested, 
as it will make better silage and a greater yield of feed if har¬ 
vested at this time. It will not be harmful if some of the lower 
