Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-05-09
CULTIVATION or CORN.
Bred Corn Produces Big Yields
Thick Seeding-HiIls or Drills

AAsS
At the Illinois experiment station ex-
periments with corn were conducted for
a period of six years. AS reported in a
bulletin from this station, the tests
made indicate the ACCESSIBILITY of the
selection Of medium rather than either
early or late maturing varieties, those
with ears above the average, bur not re-
markably large in size, and those which
combine as many good qualities as pos
sible. But some Of the most profitable
varieties have been faulty in some re-
spects. The largest yields Of shslled corn
have not been secured from varieties
with the smallest cobs, on with deepest
kernels, or, IL all cases, with symmetric-
al ears. AS a rule, il is not advisable
to select for the main crop a variety
which has been produced far North or
south of the latitude in which it is to be
planted A small acreage Of some early
maturing variety may be proftably
planted for use il the early autumn.
Such varieties are also valuable if corn
must be planted exceptionally late.
The results Of experiments with cross
bred corn suggest the importance Of
thorough trials of the practice Of cross
ing desirable varieties Uniformity Of
type is sacrificed, but in a large 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
OF the large majority of Illinois farm
ers, 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 the usual distances
for planting in Illinois has given larger
yields of corn than thinner paintings.
In the exceptionally dry year, 1898,
somewhat thinner paintings gave better
results. The thicker planting produces
smaller ears and reduces the average
weight of the stalks. The result of all
trials at the station clearly indicates
that in average seasons, in central Hi
nois at least, a lessened yield may be
expected if the number of stalks is less
than three a hill.
In no year out of the six was any ma
terial difference shown in the 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.
BILE limits, has not materially affected
the yield II the ground was in equally
good condition at the time OF planting,
less cultivation has usually been neces-
sary for the later than for the earlier
paintings Uniformly shallow covering
has been fund somewhat better than
deep covering. Shallow cultivation has
uniformly given better results than has
deep. Purposed roc pruning has in all
cases decreased the WELD. 1t has not
been proved that comparatively deep
culture while the corn is small would
be injurious. Unusually frequent Guilt
walton has in some cases decreased the
yield and in no case been profitable. No
one Implement has been shown TO be
clearly superior to all others. 1t is be-
lieyed the best result a 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 made much growth, and
stirring the entire surface Of the soil as
nearly as practicable to the depth Of not
more than 2 or 8 inche. Jften enough
TO keep the surface well pulverized and
to prevent the growth of weeds and
grass.