The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-17
prsrArcE ron CORN ROWS.

The question of the distance for corn
rows may not seem an important one upon
slight thought, but when every part Of the
question of cultivation of corn must be
considered in these days of keen COMPETE
ton even this side of it has more or less
interest to the cultivator. The separate
farmers in . neighborhood have their
markers set at various distances apart,
ranging from three to four feet six inches.
The question becomes very important
when we stop to consider the amount of
corn raised on an acre. The difference of
foot either way in planting corn makes
an enormous difference in the yield per
acre. Several things are to be taken into
consideration in deciding upon the dis
lance apart for the corn rows. The strength
OF the ground, the quality and kind of corn,
and the convenience of cultiyafing il.
Many farmers select the very widest dis
lance because they firmly believe that a
better crop is to be obtained from the hills
that are not crowded together. They pre-
fer less number of hills and better corn to
larger quantity Of inferior sort.
But here the question of soil is also to
be taken into consideration. Very rich
corn land may be able to support hills
close together, and produce better crops,
than many other soils could where Che
is no disputing the fact that when the
rows are too close together the corn leaves
soon get so tall as to obstruct the sun
light, and prevent It from reaching the
roots of the corn. Stalks are more readily
broken by people passing through the
rows, and by the cultivator. On the other
hand there are some advantages in close
planting. such as more corn from the same
space OF ground where the soil is very rich.
The introduction of machinery on the
farm has partly settled this question for
farmers, but there are still many farms
where the machinery of this nature is not
used. Most of the corn planters have the
machinery set at three feet ten incnes
Those who have plowed a corn stubble,
and desired to make neat job, know how
necessary ii is to have the firrow cut close
up TO the hills along the row, so that the
next one shall place the root and top both
at the bottom by cutting out four or six
inches on the left of the standing stalks.
When corn is planted four feet apart,
three burrows must be cut sixteen inches
wide to come up uniformly to the row, or
else plow only four burrows a foot wide.
1t Is almost impossible to cut furrow
sixteen inches wide and do good work,
but If the rows are only three feet feet
eight inches apart the work is easily and
neatly done with three burrows without
extra effort. This distance gives 5lS hills
to the acre more than at four feet, and re-
qulres less seed 10 the HILL For land in
average condition two good standing
stalks to the hill would be profitable and
satisfactory. A soil of given fertility
cannot be coaxed into an inordinate
yield by giving it more seed than il
can mature into grain. 1t is my
opinion that nine-tenths of the fields of
corr in this country would give the own
ers more corn, on less number OF acres.
and of better quality, if one-third less seed
was planted. When breast high corn
standing thick in the field gives q splendid
appearance. but at husking time the num-
Der of nubbins shows the folly OF trying to
force the soil beyond its capacity. There
is no reason why every ear in the tield
should not be of uniform size and weight.
Many farmers accept the distance for
corn rows which others have told them is
the best, or they have adopted the same
width which their forefathers thought the
best, and not because they have sat down
and reasoned the matter out. To all such
it would be of prime Importance to do
some figuring. and then experimenting.
Try one width this season, and another
next, and then compare the results. This
is how / reached my conclusion, and it has
been valuable experience to me.
s. w. CHAMBERS.