1S2 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



for the coming season. Men sixty years of age entered this corn work 

 with all the energy of the sturdy farm youth working by their side;. 



All took the work with such unbounded enthusiasm that no one was- 

 left simply to "browse around." 



Hundreds of samples of the very best corn obtainable in the whole 

 corn belt, representing all the present standard varieties, were given 

 the classes for study. 



This work consisted in the study of a unit ear, then a group of ten 

 ears, kernel characteristics, breed characteristics and finally sample scor- 

 ing and variety differences. 



This diligent work at the corn tables was changed 

 when the students became somewhat weary, chairs 

 were drawn from under the tables, and the class was 

 seated while Professors Holden, Shamel and Steven- 

 son gave helpful, instructive talks on important and 

 essential things to know about breeding and improv- 

 ing corn. 



Mr. James Eeid sent the school two ears of his 

 model type of Reid's Yellow Dent as now improved, 

 together with an ear of the type from which this corn 

 was developed, over fifty years ago. 



Mr. Nims of Emerson, Iowa, originator of the 

 Legal Tender corn, and Mr. Thad. Chester of Cham- 

 paign, 111., whose father procured his Learning corn 

 from the originator of this variety, gave the corn 

 school the benefit of their experience with corn and 

 Professor A. D. Shamel gave the school the history of 

 the standard varieties here studied by the students. 



Most helpful discussion on proper methods of pre- 

 paring, planting and cultivating corn were given in 

 the inspiring "experience meeting" held from time 

 to time in the afternoon sessions under direction of 

 Professors Holden and Shamel. The work in the 

 class room, the talks and discussions all brought out 

 these facts: 



1. Vitality of all seed corn should be tested. This 

 alone enables one to secure healthy, vigorous plants. 

 Unless 97 per cent of seeds germinate, best not to use 

 this corn. 



2. Shape and size of kernel planted all important 

 in getting a good stand. A good planter illustrated 

 this by using uniform and irregular kernels and 

 noting uniformity in number of kernels dropped in 

 the first instance, and the irregularity in the number 

 dropped in the second instance, when irregular ker- 

 nels were used or those of different shapes and sizes. 



