Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-05-10
CULTIVATION OF CORN.
Oross Bred Corn Pf"duces Big Yiekds.
Thick Seeding ullls or Drills.

THICK seeding uiIis pr Driils.
At the Illinois experiment station ox-
perimonts with corn were conducted for
. period OF six years. As reported i'm
bulletin from this station, the tests
made Indicate tbs advisability Of tho
selection Of medium rather than either
early or lato maturing varieties, those
with ears above the average, but not re-
markably large In size, and those which
combine as many good qualities rs pos
Gble. But some Of the most profitable
varieties have been faulty in some re-
spects The largest yields of sheled corn
have not been secured from varieties
with the smallest cobs, or with deepest
kernels, or, III all cases, with symmotric-
al ears. AS a rule, it Is not advisable
TO select for the main crop variety
which has been produced far north or
south Of the latitude in which it is TO be
planted \ small acreage Of some early
maturing variety may DO proftably
planted for use in the early autumn.
Such varieties are also valuable if corn
must be planted exceptionally late.
The results OF experiments with cross
thorough trials of the practice Of cross
ing desirable varieties Uniformity Of
type is sacrificed, but in largo major
ity Of the trials made at the station the
yields from cross bred seed have been
larger than those from the pure bred
parent seed.
Contrary to the opinion and practice.
n nf
ors, the results of the experiments as to
thickness Of planting, almost without
exception, Indicate that thicker plant
ing than is ordinarily practiced will
give larger yields Of both corn and
stalks. IN five years out Of six planting
At the rate Of at least four kernels per
hill in the rows at tho usual distances
for planting in Illinois has given larger
yields Of corn than thinner paintings.
In tho exceptionally dry year, 1898,
somewhat thinner paintings gave better
results. Tho thicker planting produces
smaller ears and reduces the average
weight Of the stalks. The result of all
trials at tho station clearly indicates
that in average seasons, in central Hi
nois at least, a lessonod yield may be
expected if the number of stalks is less
than three hill.
In no year ont Of the six was any ma
terial difference shown III tho yield of
corn, whether planted in hills or drills,
where an equal number Of kernels was
planted and the ground kept equally
free from weeds
The date Of planting, within reasona-
bic limits, has not materially affected
the yield. If the ground was in equally
good condition at the time of planting,
less cultivation has usually been neces-
sary for the later than for tho earlier
paintings Uniformly shallow covering
has been found somewhat better than
deep covering. Shallow cultivation has
uniformly given better results than has
deep. Purposed root pruning has in all
cases decreased the yield 1t has not
been proved that comparatively deep
culture while the corn Is small would
be injurious. Unusually frequent cult
walton has In some cases decreased ne
yield and In no case been profitable. No
one implement has been shown to be
clearly superior to al others 1t Is be-
lioved the best result can be secured
with the smallest expenditure Of time
and labor by having the ground in good
condition at the time Of planting, be-
ginning cultivation before grass or
weeds have mado much growth, and
stirring the entire surface Of the soil as
nearly as practicable to the depth Of not
moro than or 3 inches often enough
TO keep tho surface well pulverizcd and
to prdsent tho growth of weeds and
grass.