48 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



to better methods of seed selection and breeding, following closely 

 the propaganda instituted by the Missouri State Corn Growers' Associa- 

 tion. These local corn shows should be carried on each year, to keep 

 in touch with improvement or deterioration in seed stock. 



Much good literature has been printed for the Association. The 

 Tvlissouri State Board of Agriculture has given us an audience of thou- 

 sands. On every hand we see and hear the good. Mr. Geo. B. Ellis has 

 been the champion for good corn many years, and has done more for 

 good corn than any other man holding a like position , being tireless to 

 make our Associations successful. Those who were on the institute force 

 three years ago, judging the corn samples for the World's Fair prizes, 

 going over this same territory this year in every case note the great im- 

 provement in samples shown. 



This movement for good corn is the most rational scheme for 

 higher development in agricultural and live stock improvement ever in- 

 augurated. It costs but three dollars to buy a bushel of good seed corn. 

 When the crop is grown and we feed this well-bred corn to scrub stock, 

 we soon become "sore" on the stock. Thus the round begins that starts 

 good farming with small investment at first; and at last a betterment 

 to the whole. Our leaders in agricultural education are pushing this one 

 subject, corn, knowing well the effect in the future. 



The Missouri State Corn Growers' Association score card was first 

 formulated since our last meeting. This is a move in the right direc- 

 tion, as it sets the rule by which we measure samples at corn shows, but 

 more especially in seed selection. Every seed corn grower, particularly 

 the members of this association, should commit to memory these rules. 

 These rules are short and if learned along with the disqualification we 

 can soon select what constitutes a good seed ear and will be more chari- 

 table toward it. Those who are the enemies of the score card 

 are general!} tiie casual readers. lUit as the types develop, the 

 points of scoring can be changed. It is to be assured the score card is 

 the blighting enemy to careless selection. Let every member, one and 

 all, of the Missouri State Corn Grow'ers' Association heartily support this 

 plain simple rule by which corn in all parts of the State can be judged. 

 It is imperative that we outline types prevalent in Missouri. While we 

 have much good corn in the State, still we have a multiplicity of varie- 

 ties, and as this farm seed problem is new to many in our. State, let us 

 say that our present cattle could not have been improved if we had bred 

 promiscuously. Just think, only four beef types are found that are general 

 improvers. While many have tried mixing to get all the good qualities, 

 yet with no future good. We need seed corn types that are as well estab- 



