The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-05-26
GOOD STANDS OF CORN

To make every acre Of corn do IT'S
full duty this year, to bring it's yield
up to war strength" it must be
started off with good stand. Farm
ers who exercise all means to this
end at planting time will be well re-
paid at the harvest. Here are some
suggestions from specialists of the
United States Department of Agri-
culture that may aid in securing, as
far as possible, the proper number
Of plants to the acre:
The best distribution of plants over
the land is obtained by making the
distances between single plants in the
rows the same. With such an equal
distribution, the least possible loss
from competition is experienced.
However, in order that sufficient
plants be grown upon an acre to
utilize most completely the resources
of the soil and climate and at the
same time permit intertillage and
other desirable practices, it is usual
ly necessary to sacrifice some of the
advantages to be gained by even dis
trfbution for those to be gained by
other desirable cultural practices.
These cultural methods frequently
may be altered so as to reduce this
loss, and the greatest saving in this
connection IS by means Of implements
specially adapted to this work. Where
general-purpose implements are used.
distances between rows of as much
s nff
necessary. BY preparing the land
thoroughly and then using highly
specialized machinery for planting
and cultivating the corn, the rows
need be no more than 31a feet apart
and the distances between plants in
the rows can be increased according
ly.
The number of plants per acre re-
quired for the best results will depend
more or less upon the natural fertil-
fty of the land, the quantity of fer
tilizer used, the method of culture
practiced, the time of planting, the
evenness of the distribution Of plants,
whether other crops are grown with
the corn, the variety, and the season.
The season is, Of course, the most i'm
portant factor influencing the stand
required and, as it's character can not
be foretold, it is evident that spe-
cific advice in this connection can
not be given.
In practice, corn is commonly
planted with an allowance of to
IL square feet per plant.
One of the most deplorable losses
due to defective stand is from the
blank spaces seen to greater or
less extent in practically every field.
The ability of the plants to utilize
extra space rapidly diminishes as tho
distance increases, and the practical
limit probably does not exceed 5 or
6 feet. Beyond this distance the loss
so far as the corn crop is concerned
is complete. Good seed Of a uniform
size and shape is an important fac
tor in securing a stand, as it makes
possible a more uniform distribution
by the planter.
Burrowing animals and birds fire.
quently do serious damage to the
stand by eating the sed or by pull
ing up the very young plants. Odor-
GUS substances have been tried in va
rlOuS ways to prevent such attacks.
The substance that is most favorably
considered for this purpose at pres
ent is coal tar, because it seems sue
cessful as a repellent, it will not in
jure the seed, costs very little, and
may be dried so as to plant freely
in a machine. It is recommended
that the seed be wet with warm water
before adding the tar. A teaspoon
full Of the tar will be sufficient for a
peck of corn. The mass must be
thooughtly mixed and then dried be-
fore planting.
In wet, cold land the seed some
times is covered with too much soil.
On such land the seed should be
planted just deep enough to have it
In contact with moist SOIL
In cold weather or on low, flat, or
otherwise poorly drained land the
seed may terminate badly, and the
plants that start are slow in grow
ing and weak. Worms, grass, and
weeds are likely to destroy such corn
if it is not assisted. From rs to 80
pounds of nitrate of soda per acre,
applied with the corn drill at the
time the corn is planted, will quickly
force the young plants past the Pc
Rod Of greatest loss and thus great
ly increase the chances of securing
a stand.
Whenever 1t is at all difficult to get
the desired stand, extra seed should
be planted to offset thel oss. Thin
ming will usually result in greater
economy than leaving a defective