78 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF CORN IMPROVEMENT. 



(P. E. Orabtree, Hannon, Mo ) 



It would seem, from Avhat we have heard this afternoon and the 

 interest taken in the discussions that followed various talks on this 

 corn question, that there would be nothing left to say at this time. 

 However, in assigning this subject at this time, it appears (at least the 

 managenxent thought) there would be something to be said particularly 

 along the line of the practical side of corn improvement that has re- 

 mained unsaid. After listening to the subject as- handled, I feel chat 

 it is next to impossible for me to handle this subject without overlappin^i;- 

 or encroaching somewhat on the subjects of speakers who have gone 

 before me. However, I shall endeavor to carry out this part of '.he 

 program. 



Mr. Ellis has told you that the addition of two grains to the ear 

 of the corn production of Missouri at the present time would amount 

 in increased yield to a valuation of $200,000. I will say that that will 

 be most easily reached — that we can entirely surpass that point, and 

 I will call your attention to one thing (it applies to the majority of the 

 corn that we produce at the present time) that will save many times 

 two grains per ear: That one thing being simply the matter of h-wing 

 more solid, firmly set corn on the ear. Where is the farmer who can 

 handle his corn without wasting — dropping or shelling off — an average 

 of more than two grains per ear? That is noticeable in some of the 

 varieties in particular that we handle. I will say that in institute work, 

 in which I have assisted to some extent this fall, I have noticed some 

 varieties that shell very easily that have been on exhibition. One of 

 them which I recall now is the Cartner corn ; a very pretty tapering 

 corn, but very loose on the ear and has to be handled very carefully in 

 order to make a creditable show on exhibition. If we can add to the 

 value of the corn crop of Missouri so much money in excess of the 

 $200,000 per year in that one way, what must we be able to add to it 

 in the various ways that are outlined and that will in future be out- 

 lined in the matter of practical corn production? 



The farmer is interested very largely in the matter of the amount 

 of shelled corn that he is able to produce per acre. It might suggest 

 itself to one person that a large grain would be a very good thing per- 

 haps ; to another, that a large ear was a good thing ; to still another 

 (who hasn't given the matter much thought), that a particularly large 

 stalk was a desirable trait of character in this plant. Those things. 



