216 
ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
one to two inches will insure a good stand, better ger¬ 
mination and a better root system. 
It is not profitable to plant corn too thick, even if 
we are sure that there will be ample moisture to mature 
a crop. The ears are smaller and the number of bushels 
will be no greater. If the weather becomes very dry, 
thick corn will suffer much from over-crowding. We 
consider about three and one half feet as the most desir¬ 
able width for rows of corn. The grains in each row 
Fig. 159.—Checked corn provides a means of cross cultivation. 
should be at least twenty inches apart. Checking corn 
prevents planting too thick, if only two grains are 
planted in each hill, and also, the advantage of cross- 
cultivation may save some expense in producing the 
crop. 
Cultivation should begin before the corn is planted, 
by having a well prepared, clean seed bed. Before the 
corn comes up, the field may be harrowed to destroy 
any small weeds that are starting. If the weather is 
dry and hot just after planting, a roller, made from a 
log, will crush the clods and conserve the moisture. It 
should be followed by a harrow to prevent the soil from 
