56 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Time will not permit a further enumeration or discussion of these uses ; 

 but notice that here again there is not waste ; every product whether di- 

 rect gr "by" has a value and a use to which it may be put. 



The discussion which followed was led by P. B. Reynolds, Owosso : 



In the discussion of this topic, I believe we are all agreed that we have 

 one of more than ordinarj^ importance. In fact this crop is generally 

 recognized as one of the most important crops on the farm. But we do 

 not believe it is fully appreciated when we see the slack methods in cul- 

 ture and harvesting. We often refer to the central west as the corn belt, 

 but I want to tell you that I consider Michigan the key to the corn cen- 

 ter. What we lack in quantity we gain in quality. When we note the 

 improvement in the past few years and the large areas of corn success- 

 fully grown this fact becomes apparent. 



In the breeding of our stock, after years of careful attention, it has be- 

 come possible to produce animals with general uniform characteristics, 

 but did you ever plant an ear of corn and produce more than a very small 

 percentage of ears, that had the general characteristics of the parent ear? 

 There are a few rules, if observed, by which any farmer may improve the 

 quality and productiveness of his corn and other grains. The vitality 

 of our seed depends upon three factors : First, the maturity of the seed ' 

 or perfect development, second the vigor and health of the parent plant 

 ■and third, the saving and storing of the seed itself. In selecting the best 

 ears this can be done before the crop is harvested. We prefer those that 

 hang down or droop, as this denotes solidity and a small shank. So 

 important is it to save only from the strongest and most productive 

 plants, that every farmer ought to plant in some place, where he can give 

 the land special preparation, and plant in the most favorable time to 

 obtain quick germination and give the crop the best possible care anTl 

 cultivation so as to secure the fullest development of the plants. 



The question has been asked, to what extent is it prudent to breed up 

 the protein content of our corn. While it is very desirable to have a full 

 and well-developed germ, which denotes strong vitality, we should not 

 lose sight of the point, generally overlooked, that nitrogen obtained 

 through any crop except a leguminous crop, is exhaustive to the soil, — 

 only plants having nodules and nitrogen-fixing bacteria being able to 

 take up free nitrogen from the air. But when we attain a pound of ni- 

 trogen through clover and other legumes, the soil has not been exhausted 

 as would be the case if the same amount were obtained through a plant 

 like corn. On the other hand the carbonaceous matter of corn is taken 

 from the air and is produced without exhausting the soil. But we can 

 with profit develop the starch-producing qualities of the corn plant, for 

 which our State is so well adapted by nature, and with which it has 

 succeeded so well in the past. 



By judicious preparation and cultivation it is possible to greatly im- 

 prove the yield and quality of our crop. The better preparation should 

 begin before the crop is planted, putting the soil in a better physical con- 

 dition. The corn plant is a deep feeder so if we have a hard sub-soil it 

 should be loosened. The sub-soil plow is expensive, and while it gave us 

 excellent results we are depending upon clover which does it effectually 

 and cheaply, as it is a deep rooter and furnished a part of the humus 

 desired. The value of a crop depends upon the economic manner in which 



