FIELD CROPS. 31 



average yield of fodder being 3 tons and 1,056 lbs. and the average yield of ears 46.6 

 bu. per acre. In the production of ears alone the best yielding varieties in 1900 were 

 Triumph, Longfellow, Dutton, Mercer, and King Philip. The proportion of corn to 

 cob, as determined for 2 varieties in 1901, was 86.7 per cent shelled corn to 13.3 per 

 cent cob for Golden Dent, and 78.8 per cent shelled corn to 21.2 per cent cob for 

 North Dakota No. 100. A number of the varieties tested did not fully mature. 



Experiments in thickness of planting showed the largest yields of fodder from 

 corn planted in hills in rows 22 in. apart. Drilled corn produced more fodder than 

 corn ]ilanted in hills in rows 44 in. apart, Itut the largest yield of ears was obtained 

 from planting in liiils. Corn sown broadca.st did not yield as well as corn sown in 

 drills. DrilHng corn 6 in. apart in rows 3i ft. apart gave the best average total 

 yield for two years. In this experiment the yield decreased almost regularly Avith 

 an increase of the distance between the plants in the row. Planting 6 kernels in a 

 hill gave a larger yield of fodder and ears than jdanting asmallernumber of kernels. 

 As to depth of i)ianting, 2 and 4 in. gave the best results. 



In 1901 2 plats of corn were planted each week from May 18 to July 2. One plat 

 was drilled in rows 6 in. apart and the other in rows 42 in. apart. It was found 

 that late planting gave a greater yield of stalks and smaller yield of ears than early 

 planting. The corn in the 6-in. drills yielded on the average 1 ton and 620 lbs. of 

 dry fodder more per acre than the wider planting. 



The results of shallow and deep cultivation were generally in favor of shallow cul- 

 tivation. Shallow cultivation early in the season and deep cultivation late in the 

 season gave better results than continuous <leep cultivation or deep cultivation early 

 followed by shallow cultivation later on. Harrowing corn immediately after plant- 

 ing proved a verj^ effective means of destroying young weeds. 



Rotation experiments have shown that corn stood next to potatoes as a rotation 

 croji for wheat. Corn also proved an excellent rotation crop for Hax. 



Directions are given for preparing corn ground for wheat or flax and for breeding, 

 selecting, and saving seed corn. The harvesting and saving of corn fodder is dis- 

 cussed, and experiments with the corn crop in its relation to soil moisture are 

 reviewed. 



Analyses of corn Avith reference to its improvement, J. T. Willard, R. W. 

 Clothikk, and F. C. Weber {Kanmx Sla. Bui. 107, pp. 57-98). — Work of originating 

 varieties of corn richer in protein has been in progress since 1898. In connection 

 with this work analyses were made of varieties, single ears, and single kernels to 

 determine their nitrogen content. The nitrogen in 33 varieties ranged from 1.56 to 

 2.26 per cent; in different ears of a variety grown for 30 years without admixture it 

 ranged from 1.53 to 2.24 per cent, and in ears of a cross originate<l the previous year 

 it varied from 1.35 to 2.22 per cent. The nitrogen content of single kernels from the 

 same ear varied considerably but not to an extent as great as among different ears of 

 the same variety. Efforts to determine a connection between the specific gravity of 

 the kernel and its nitrogen content showed that while there seemed to be a tendency 

 toward a higher nitrogen content with lower specific gravity, these factors were very 

 irregular. It is concluded that corn rich in nitrogen can not be selected by means 

 of specific gravity. 



Of the original 33 varieties, 21 were selected for breeding purposes. "Each ear 

 saved was pollenized by hand, and all other fertilization prevented. The crosses 

 originated in 1898 in this way were planted in 1899, and each close fertilized. The 

 ears obtained that year were analyzed, and the next season those showing 2 per cent 

 or more of nitrogen were planted, as a rule. These were again close fertilized, the 

 crop of each analyzed, and the same ones, in general, planted in 1901. These were 

 again close fertilized and the ears produced analyzed. These crosses show remark- 

 ably high percentages of nitrogen ui many cases, and all contain 2 per cent or more 



