The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-04-13
How to Double Corn Yields.
(By TAFT Butler,)

on corn growing advocating tnlCKer
planting than that commonly prac-
ticed; while in the Middle South we
find the same class of we'll informed
men advocating giving the corn more
distance. This indicates that the
proper spacing of corn is an import
ant question and should receive spe-
cial consideration-that is, each field
should be considered individually as
to its fertility and moisture condi-
tions. The usual size of the stalks
of the variety planted may also be
considered but with corn the varia-
tions in this line are not great and
require only minor consideration. AS
a general proposition, it has been
pretty clearly shown that when the
different stalks are an equal distance
from each other--that is, when every
of equal size-the best conditions for
the largest yield have been given. In
other words, If the land will support
one stalk on every square feet, the
results would be better If the rows
were feet wide and the stalks 2 feet
In the row, than when planted in
4-foot rows with stalks 1 foot apart
in the row.
While 1t is not practicable to plant
corn in rows only feet wide, because
Of the greater difficulty and expense
or cultivating so many more narrow
rows, this fact regarding the spacing
of the corn plants should be kept in
mind. The increase in yield from
placing the stalks eQui-distant in all
directions is not sufficient to Justify
rows less than 1-2 to 4 feet, but we
believe 1T is sufficient to prevent the
best results when corn is planted in
wider rows.
The Number of Stalks to Have.
Large yields can only be obtained
from large number of stalks, and If
a yield of so bushels per acre is ex-
pected, the corn must be spaced with
this yield in view. On the other hand,
land that will only make 25 bushels
per acre when the corn is correctly
spaced, may be planted so thickly
that it will not yield even the 25
bushels which it is capable of MAX
Ing.
Calculating an average Of one ear
20 every stalk, and that it will require
1S5 ears to make a lushel, the follow
ing spacing will produce the yields
indicatd:
1-2 foot rows, II inches in the
row-92 bushels.
12 foot rows. IS inches in the
row--62 bushels.
IL foot rows, feet in the row
&c bushels.
ID foot rows, 1-2 feet in the
row-37 bushels.
12 foot rows, feet in the row
81 bushels.
foot rows, II inches in the row
81 bushels.
foot rows, IS inches in the row
81 bushels.
foot rows, feet in the row-4O
bushels.
foot rows, > 1-2 feet in the row
50 bushels,
! foot rows, feet in the row-27
bushels.
OF course, with certain varieties
more than one ear to the stalk is pro-
. duccd, and more or less than 135
! cars may he required to make a bush
. cl; but the foregoing table places the
T problem Of spacing plainly before us.
Hills or Drills?
IN the Northern Corn Belt. where
the lands are level and capable OF
, producing large yields, for economy
OF cultivation the corn is quite fre-
pucntly planted i'm hills II feet 10y
3 feet apart with two or three stalks
/ i'm the hills. vt such distance. three
stalks 10 the hill would give 12,A4i
stalks, or, on the basis of our calcula-
don, a yield of ~ bushcls to the acre
Much of our land is too rolling and
washes too much to be cultivated
both ways, but op the land that is
lcvo' there is no reason why we
should not check it 8 IL 10y feet
and cultivate both ways, thereby saw
ing much expense i'm cost Of the labor
in cultlvating.
ON our rich level lands it is also