696 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



sell and not to till the soil, and farmers would make lots of money 

 by simply giving them away and buying those that would be of some 

 value to loosen the soil and not hop over it like a toad. 



Having said nothing about the depth of plowing, 1 would advise 

 against plowing a deep soil shallow, or a shallow soil deep. While 

 having great faith in deep soil, it should be deepened by plowing a 

 little deeper each time and not getting too much inert soil to the 

 surface at one time as this is detrimental to plant growth, especially 

 to the smaller plants as grass, wheat, etc. Corn can stand more, 

 but I do not prefer it. 



The next point to be considered is the seed; remembering that 

 there is just as much profit in good plants as there is in animal life. 

 While the prize winner at the International Live Stock Show this 

 year was a grade of three different and distinct breeds, does not 

 make it a good criterion to go by; it is the exception and not the 

 I'ule. One should experiment every year to find something better, 

 of course. But I have done so for a long time, and at present am 

 planting the same corn my fatJier grew tiiirty years ago. Having 

 tried crossing by mixing and planting alternate rows, etc., I find 

 the best and most profitable way, is to select your ideal seed anu 

 plant this in the best part of your field and select your seed from 

 these plants, year after year, and plant all of the butts of the ear and 

 not the point, and you will find your seed improving. One should 

 avoid barren stocks, etc. But I will wager if this method is followed, 

 the barren stocks will be few, in an average year. While there is 

 much being done by our Western brethren along the line of breeding 

 by crossing, polenizing and making an effort to grow a corn with a 

 larger percentage of protein and a small per cent, of carbohydrates. 

 1 will leave this experiment for some one whose time is less valuable 

 than mine; but will try and profit by his experience, as life is too 

 short to try all the experiments that benefit the farmer. 



This is what our Experiment Stations are for. In securing a corn 

 plant we should consider not only latitude, length of season, etc., 

 but our heighth above sea level. My ideal plant is the one I can 

 grow the largest amount of grain to the smallest amount of fodder. 

 Some of our Experiment Stations claim that there is 55 per cent, of 

 ihe feeding value in the stalk. I do not hesitate to believe this 

 when passing some corn fields witli gigantic stalks and dwarf ears; 

 in fact I sometimes think the fodder is underestimated. The grain 

 being the easiest to handle, I prefer a variety that gives the largest 

 return of shelhMl corn per acre. While this has been an off-year for 

 corn, by following the above methods Ave succeeded in raising 148^ 

 bushels ear corn per acre, which I am satisfied would have made 80 

 bushels shelled corn. 



Cultivation should be early and late. Last, but not least, often. 



