42 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



culture. On selected specimens about 10 per cent, of cob. 

 Maximum yield with us about 123 bushels ; average yield 

 about 80 bushels from 18 to 20 acres. A single kernel has 

 produced 23 ears under experimental culture. 



What improvement do we ask for this corn ? We desire 

 to lengthen the ear to 50 kernels at least ; we desire to fix 

 the small cob so as to reduce the variations which arise from 

 difference in manuring and culture to the minimum ; we 

 desire to increase its prolificacy to 200 bushels, at the least, 

 for a maximum crop, and 150 for an average ; we desire to 

 bring the fodder proportion down to pound for pound. 



We do not wish to be understood as claiminsr for Wau- 

 shakum corn a superiority over every other known variety. 

 It is simply brought forward here as an example of a definite 

 attempt to produce a seed corn which shall have a fixed 

 character, and as an illustration of the practical form of the 

 ideas we have enunciated. Before there can be the greatest 

 improvement many people must join in the eflbrt, and each 

 locality species must be brought up to the full capabilities of 

 its nature, in order that through hybridity the greatest har- 

 vests may be annually secured. 



It seems necessary to now summarize our points in the 

 form of advice, which best appeals to common sense, and 

 must be judged by this standard, not from any authority on 

 the part of the writer. 



Any farmer who finds a neighbor occupying no better soil, 

 and possessing no advantage over himself, but who raises 

 a larger average crop of corn, should consider the necessity 

 of changing his seed. Let him first see if the seed he desires 

 is to be obtained in his own neighborhood, for if such he finds, 

 it will probably be acclimated and better for his uses. If this 

 resource fails him let him seek for a corn which shall seem 

 adapted to his climate, and which is known to have yielded 

 large crops, giving preference to that seed which is raised 

 under conditions quite equivalent to his own. 



Corn from a northern locality is, other things being equal, 

 to be preferred to that from a southern locality, yet it does 



