The Depth For Planting Corn

The proper depth for planting corn is a problem whose solution must be repeated at every planting, as it de pends upon various and very change able circumstances. The twoessentials to the germination of seeds are heat and moi8ture, and different seeds vary considerably in the amount of these required. Thus, wheat and barley wil germinate at a temperature of 41 degrees Fahr., although not so freely as at a higher temperature, while corn requires a minimum of 48 degrees, the squash of 54 degrees, and the cocoanut is said to yield seedlings wtth the greatest certainty at 120 degrees. With regard to the amount of mois ture required by various seeds, we know that the seeds of aquatic planta naturaliy germinate and grow when immersed in water ; but such an excesf of moisture is fatal to the growth of many land plants, causing the seeds to rot, though on the other hand the young seedlings will perish if the mois ture be withdrawn below a certain point. In the case of corn, we have a plan of tropical origin, and would naturally expect it to germinate at a moderateli high temperature, and this we flnü to be the case, the minimum heat requir ed being 48 degrees, as stated, but the point of most rapid germination beijjg about 03 degrees. It is a common ex perience amoag farmers that corn ger minated at a low temperature pro duces weak and sickly plants, which are soon out-stripped in growth by those planted at a later date when the ground is warmer. Corn requires a moderate amount of moisture; the young seedling soon perishes if that moisture be withdrawn. Henee, we should endeavor to place our seed ai such depth in the soil that it may not be deprived of its necessary moisture by a week or two of drouth ; yet it should not be placed below the layer of soil which has begun to feel the warming effect of the spring sunahiiie. Therefore, if we plant early, we should cover shallow, because the ground has not yet been warmed to any depth, and also because there is at this time but little danger of nn injurious drouth ; but later in the season this danger increases, and we must guard against it by deeper planting. The kind of soil, tou, has much to do with the proper depth of planting. Thus a black soil absorbs heat more rapidly than a light colored one ; a loóse, porous soil than a hard, compact one ; a dry soil than a Wet one. Henee, in a loóse, black soil we may plant more deeply than in a yellow sand, and in that deeper than in a moist, heavy clajt, "