THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK PART VI. 268 



a potent factor in improving the corn in many sections. The truth is, 

 there is ample proof that careful breeding and selection give more prof- 

 itable types of corn. We have referred to the splendid achievements 

 in improving the various breeds of live stock. The profit to American farm- 

 ers from their well-bred herds and flocks has reached millions of dollars. 

 Practical corn growers who have put improved breeds of corn to the test 

 are unanimous in their statements that we may obtain results, equally 

 valuable and profitable, from highly bred varieties of corn. This is not 

 theory or speculation. Abundant evidence of the most reliable character 

 is available to prove that well-bred seed corn increases the yield per acre, 

 improves the quality, and advances and fixes desirable types in the 

 varieties. The average yield of corn per acre in the great corn states 

 is about thirty bushels. This fact shows that our farmers are not at 

 the present time producing a maximum yield. If every hill of corn at 

 the average distance of planting, three feet six inches by three iieet 

 six inches, produced a single pound of corn the yield would be about 

 fifty bushels per acre. Here we have an increase of twenty bushels 

 over the average and yet if each hill contained two or three stalks, the 

 most profitable number, and each stalk bears a well developed ear the 

 yield would reach nearly a hundred bushels. Can we not find a reason 

 for the low average in the fact that every stalk does not produce an ear 

 and that many of the fruitful ones give ears dwarfed and greatly lack- 

 ing in development and soundness? 



BARREN STALKS. 



One of the factors which directly contributes to this reduction of 

 yield is the abnormal number of barren stalks in our corn fields. It is a 

 matter of surprise to one who has not noted the fact that careful counts 

 establish the average number of barren stalks at 30 per cent. Many 

 speakers on dairy subjects have long advised the weeding out from 

 milking herds the unprofitable cows, because they not only fail to return 

 a profit themselves but often absorb that afforded by their superior 

 stable companions. Is there not as strong an argument in favor of elim- 

 inating this excessive number of barren stalks from our fields? They 

 are little better than weeds; serve no geod purpose; doubtless take quite 

 as much fertility from the soil as the fertile stalks, and the labor and ex- 

 pense of growing them fully equals that of the desirable ones. It is 

 extremely difficult to find in any crib even a very limited number of 

 ears of corn uniform in shape, size and other characteristics. Nearly 

 all of them are deficient in length or circumference, have poorly filled 

 butt and hips and shallow or rounded kernels. Only in the cribs of 

 of those who have improved their corn by selection and breeding is it 

 possible to secure samples approaching that degree of uniformity and 

 trueness to type which is so valuable and an indication of good breed- 

 ing and prepotency. The value of this uniformity is not a fictitious one. 

 A farmer can cultivate and care for a field of corn which has been 

 planted with improved seed without expending a dollar more than his 

 neighbor who persists in planting corn without any prepotency other 

 than that which tends to reproduce its own undesirable characteristics. 



