SEED IMPROVEMENT MEETING. 199 



BEST TYPE OF FIELD CORN FOR THE MAINE 



FARMER. 



Abstract of Discussion Opened by Dr. G. M. TwitchelIv. 



While we have grown corn for generations, the importance 

 of selecting for a type has but recently been realized. 



Admit that there is a type of dairy cow most in harmony with 

 largest production and the general application of the lesson is 

 recognized. There must be a type of stalk and ear of corn giving 

 greatest feeding value at least expense, and to find this is the 

 great problem facing the thinking corn grower. No man should 

 be content with a yield per acre less than one hundred bushels 

 of shelled corn. So simple is this problem that little credit 

 attaches to any man who does not exceed this volume, yet the 

 average of Maine is below forty bushels. With only fairly good 

 treatment any good corn land can easily be made to yield this 

 much or more. In 1909 an old field fertilized with 1000 lbs. of 

 corn fertilizer gave 8600 lbs. of ears. In 1910 from one acre of 

 old neglected land, where 1200 lbs. of fertilizer only was ap- 

 plied, the yield was 119 i-io bushels of shelled corn, and in 

 191 1, with 1500 lbs. of fertilizer to the acre, the yield, from 

 one-fourth acre, was 64 full bushel baskets, yielding two weeks 

 after breaking 59 1-2 lbs. of shelled corn from 70 lbs of ears. 

 In neither year was any barn manure applied and the fact that 

 in the three years only fairly good treatment was given the 

 fields, justifies the claim for crop yield certain to be obtained. 

 To get this, more attention must be paid to type. 



If for the silo, then size of stalk, abundance of leaves and 

 character of well matured ear must determine. If for the crib, 

 then size, shape and regularity of ears and size of kernels be- 

 come paramount. In either case maturity is necessary. Maine 

 climate will not give us more than one hundred and fifteen days 

 in which to mature the corn crop. 



