The Bulletin 21. 



Summary. 



During the past season twenty-four varieties of corn were tested at 

 six of the experimental farms. These varieties represent some of the 

 best corns grown in this am] adjoining States. Tlie farms are .so dis- 

 tributed as to represent the different soils and climatic conditions of 

 North Carolina. 



Along with the results for 1915 are given the averaged results from 

 four previous tests at four of the farms. These results are guides to the 

 best varieties for the different sections of the State. They point out 

 good varieties which may be developed into even better strains, if prop- 

 erly selected. With the exception of the extreme western part of the 

 State, the two-eared and more prolific coras have yielded best. In the 

 western part of the State, Boone County White, a one-eared variety, gave 

 the highest yield in a series of five tests; but w^as followed very closely 

 by the two-eared varieties. 



It is recommended that growers improve the best two-eared varieties 

 by selecting for increased yield of grain per stalk instead of selecting 

 for a larger number of ears per stalk. The recommendation is based 

 on the following facts : 



1. Since more than 90 per cent of the corn grown in the State is 

 gathered by pulling the ears, the handling of a large number of small 

 ears and nubbins Avould require more labor.. 



2. The grain from a large number of ears and nubbins contains a 

 greater quantity of trash and damaged grains. 



3. Some of the two-eared varieties yield as much grain per acre as 

 the more prolific varieties. 



In comparing the two-eared and more prolific varieties with the one- 

 eared varieties for production of ensilage, the two-eared and more pro- 

 lific varieties have given a higher yield of dry matter and more food value 

 per acre than the one-eared corns. It is pointed out that ensilage corn 

 should not be judged by the quantity of material ; but the quantity of 

 actual food it contains. The yield of grain and stover should be con- 

 sidered in the comparison of ensilage corns. 



