Effect of Methods of Storing Seed Corn- The usual practice among corn growers is to select the seed corn out of the general crib, in the spring just before time for planting. In some instances, especially during years unfavor able for the maturing of the corn crop, it has been found that such seed was weak in vitality and only a partial stand was secured. In. fact, it has been found that seed corn containing a high per cent of moisture is most easily affected by cold weather, while well-dried seed is capable of withstanding cold with the least possible loss of vitality. The amount of moisture in seed varie.s with the conditions of maturity, imma ture seed containing an unusually large amount of water, while fully matured seed contains a low per cent of moisture. The dryness of the seed when harvested does not always indicate the amount of water contained, as corn absorbs moisture from humid atmospheres, and icimarts it to dry air.
Methods of Cultivation.-- The methods of corn cultivation vary with the conditions of soil and climate. No definite rules can be laid down for all conditions, in fact, every corn grower must determine for himself the best methods suited to his peculiar conditions. However, there are certain general principles of plant growth which hold true under all conditions, and it will be the object of this discussion to point out the practical application of some of these principles.
Methods of Preparing the Seed Bed.— The methods of preparing the seed bed for corn can best be illustrated by the results of an experiment to test this point, conducted by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, dur ing the season of 1903. The experiment resulted as follows: condition as readily to take up and hold the rainfall and all moisture that falls upon it. This latter plan is accomplished by sub-soiling, deep plowing at the proper season, growing of such crops as clover, cowpeas, etc., in the rotation, and the addition of humus to the soil, as by plowing under corn stalks, straw, barn yard manure, or other means. VVhen the soil is in good condition and rich in plant food, it is probably in the best possible condition to retain the soil moisture for the use of the crop.
Thickness of Planting.— The thickness of planting best suited to give the most profitable results will depend upon the race of corn, the nature of the soil, the character of climate, the purpose for which the crop is produced and other factors. However, if yield alone is con sidered, the following table gives the most reliable data yet obtained on this point: This table and general experience goes .to show that in the ordinary season it pays to disc or stir the land before plowing, plowing to a depth depending upon tlie nature of the soil, and keeping the land stirred until the time of plant ing. This constant stirring of the soil break.s up the capillarity and prevents the escape of soil moisture, at the same time getting the seed bed in good mechanical condition for the recep tion of the seed.
Conservation of Soil Moisture.— In the first place it is necessary to supply the corn crop with a large supply of water for growth. It has been estimated, by careful experiments, that for every pound of dry matter produced the plant uses 300 or more pounds of water. When one considers the great yield of the corn crop in large areas and the necessary amount of water to produce this yield, it can easily be seen how important the conservation of soil. moisture be comes. The moisture in the soil escapes by capillarity and by drainage. In order to prevent the loss by capillarity, it is necessary to brealc up the soil condition which conduces to capil lary action. This is practically accomplished by plowing and continued stirring of the surface of the plowed land during dry periods, or by the use of the disc or cultivator. The loss
of water by washing or drainage is prevented as far as possible by bringing the land into such This table indicates that which has been found to be true under general conditions that four to five stalks on good corn land with ordinary seed will give the largest yield, but where machinery is not used in harvesting it is probably more desirable to leave three stalks. With three stalks bearing large ears, less diffi culty and expense will be found in harvesting than with more stalks producing small ears.
Hills v. Drills.— There are two general sys tems of arranging the seed in the row generally followed, first grouping from two to five kernels in hills some distance apart, second, drilling the seed one seed in a place, along the row closely together. The practice of drilling seed corn was the early method of planting employed by pioneer farmers. In the new countries, which were comparatively free from noxious weeds, it was not found necessary or practi cable to cultivate the corn fields as carefully as is now the case in the more fully developed sections. The farmers wished to secure the largest possible yield, and so drilled their seed corn in such a manner as to secure an unusually large number of stalks in the row. As a result large yields of small ears were obtained. Upon the further development of these communities, foreign weeds were introduced and with the lessened fertility of the soil, due to continuous cropping, more careful methods of cultivation became necessary. Consequently, the corn for the most part came to be planted in hills, ad mitting of cross cultivation, and frequent stirring of the soil keeping the surface com paratively level. In tests of the two systems, equal numbers of stalks being retained in the hilled and drilled rows, there has been found to be little difference in the yield per acre.
Lister v. Planter.— In some sections, par ticularly in the States of Kansas and Nebraslca, the seed corn is planted with listers. A lister is a plow and planter combined, which opens a furrow, drills the seed corn in this furrow and covers the seed at the same time. It is there fore the means of planting large areas in a com paratively short time and at a small expense. From the extensive use of the lister in these regions, with apparently good results, the prac tice has spread to other States where it is now under trial. Experience has suggested certain modifications of the original simple plan, one of which is to plow the land early in the spring, and when ready to plant, use the lister instead of the ordinary methods of preparation of the seed bed and planter. Another method is to open up furrovvs through the fields with the lister, very early in the spring, without planting, then later list again, opening new furrows be tween the first ones in which the seed is drilled. It has been found that in these older districts this method is not as successful as the plowing of the land and thorough preparation of the seed bed. It corresponds to planting the seed in a dead furrow. Where it is necessary to plant the seed deep in the ground to get moisture for germination, it is probable that this system may be valuable. On sandy soils it will probably suc ceed, while in the heavier clay or clay loam soils it does not give the best results.
Root Injury During The vital principle of cultivation of the growing corn plant is that the plants be allowed to grow undisturbed and without competition of other plants, with sufficient stirring of the surface soil to prevent the rapid evaporation of soil moisture. In an experiment with pruning or cutting off the roots of the corn plant at the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station strik ing results followed such injury.