Corn Growers' Association. 



323 



So large is the outlet for the crop that even if the yield were 

 doubled, or even quadrupled, the consumption would undoubtedly 

 be equal to the supply. 



In urging an increase in yield, one cannot be accused of court- 

 ing a calamity, for the country is hungry for "more corn and bet- 

 ter corn." 



The bulk of the world's supply is produced in America. Illi- 

 nois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, 

 Indiana, Texas and South Dakota are the surplus corn states. Other 

 states produce an abundance, but the states named produce the 

 bulk of the output. It is grown in every state and territory in the 

 Union, and the belt is expanding on all sides, and the progress 

 already recorded in breeding it for earliness and other specific 

 qualities indicate that in a few years the area in which it can be 

 grown to advantage may be infinitely larger than the corn belt 

 may appear to the casual observer of today. 



A good ear of corn shown at the Missouri State Corn Show, held at Columbia, Mo., Janu- 

 ary 7-11, 19(18. 



As there has been so much written and said in regard to the 

 breeding and feeding values of this product, and you are to hear 

 from others on different phases of this very important subject, it 

 is not my purpose to detract from their work by delving into the 

 wisdom of maintaining the fertility of the soil, the anatomy of the 

 plant, the types and relative values of each; but I might say that 

 there was no such thing as scientific corn breeding until late in 

 the last century when the subject began to attract attention in the 

 central west through the work of James L. Reid and H. B. Terry 

 of Illinois, James Piles of Indiana, and the Learnings of Ohio, and 

 a few other growers who effected marked improvement in certain 

 varieties by selecting superior seed for each year's planting. To 

 evolve heavy yielding, corn is now the chief object of the more 

 progressive seed corn growers, who, a few years ago, were intent 

 upon producing typical ears that would score high or win prizes 



