368 



The above table shows that with both varieties seed corn 

 from Illinois produced a larger crop than that from the 

 South. However, since the differences are only slight in 

 most cases, it is not safe to conclude that Northern seed will 

 generally afford a larger yield than that of the same variety 

 grown in the South. Bat it is an interesting fact that in 

 the abnormally dry season of 1896, Hickory King corn 

 grown in Illinois, was more productive than the strain of 

 that variety already acclimatized in this State. 



The results secured in the test of varieties (p. 364) are also 

 suggestive as showing relatively heavy yields produced by 

 Northern varieties. 



The average yield in 1896 for eight Southern varieties 

 was 17.2 bushels per acre ; for sis Northern varieties 21 

 bushels. Of the Northern varieties in that experiment the 

 three from Illinois averaged 22 bushels, while the three 

 varieties from Delaware averaged 19.9 bushels per acre. 

 Results of a variety test in Oklahoma (Bulletin No. 10) 

 in a very dry season also showed a larger yield of grain 

 from Northern than from Southern varieties. However, re- 

 sults from averaging a number of varieties of Northern 

 origin and comparing the average yield with that of dis- 

 similar varieties of Southern origin are valuable in this 

 connection only when the number of varieties from each 

 section is large. 



The results recorded in the preceding table do not con- 

 firm the common belief that Northern seed corn is inferior 

 to pure Southern varieties. 



Differences in yield between the same varieties from dif- 

 ferent latitudes are not wholly due to climate, but also to the 

 kind of soil and culture which produced each strain. Thus 

 seed of the same variety grown on adjacent farms may vary 

 in productiveness — an encouraging fact for one who may 

 desire to improve his corn by good culture and careful 

 selection. 



