56 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



ear, and also that the same degree of merit extended to the four hills 

 surrounding the one from whence came the seed ear. Even then we 

 have no positive proof that every grain which the ear contains is a well- 

 bred germ, but we do know that a big majority of them are, and I find 

 that this plan of field selection carried out for a few years will simply 

 work out surprising results in the nature of preferred type, and especi- 

 ally in producing capacity. As an example of the latter I mention that 

 I well remember some years ago it was generally believed that forty 

 bushels per acre was an outside limit in corn production en this thin 

 soil. I was repeatedly told as much when I attempted to surpass it. 

 But I had to "be shown." Time and effort have furnished me with 

 some data on this matter. In 1902 I measured oflf what I considered 

 my best acre, and it weighed out 82 bushels and 25 pounds. I then 

 adopted the plan of annually measuring a small portion, the best of each 

 field, and weighing it for my own information and as a check on all new 

 varieties tried. In 1903 the best produced at the rate of 100 bushels 

 and dy pounds per acre. In 1904 the best produced at the rate of 158 

 bushels and 45 pounds. As to the various fields the past season the best 

 of one, made at the rate of 97 bushels and 10 pounds. Another 129 

 bushels and 50 pounds, another 158 bushels and 45 pounds. I hope the 

 end is not yet for I am not the person who will not try to surpass it 

 another year. 



I advise all farmers to begin at once and produce their own seed 

 corn from a good beginning in the manner herein prescribed, and if 

 they will but do so the printing of statistics relative to the yield of the 

 corn belt will necessitate the use of much additional type. 



I referred to the matter of checking upon other breeds of corn. 

 I have generally given trial to about five varieties per year, and I usu- 

 ally find that the corn handled as above produces from ^4 to 2^/2 times 

 the yield, under some conditions, as does the new varieties. 



Fertilizers. — We will grant that the various kinds of fertilizers con- 

 taining nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash in the proportion required 

 bv corn, and likewise similarly available should, in theory, be about 

 of equal value. However, after experimenting with seven kinds and 

 compounding two home-mixed formulas I greatly prefer the packing 

 house product. All farm manures should be utilized both for the plant 

 food and for the humiis they contain, but I find that in addition to all 

 those, it is a great help in the cultivation of a corn crop to give it addi- 

 tional plant food in the hill and force it above weeds that surround it, 

 thus enabling one to properly accomplish the first cultivation. 



The Score Card. — For the judging of corn, as also all other judg- 



