1923] Variation of Protein Content of Corn 85 



one of the authors in West Virg^inia. Analysis for three years shows 

 approximately 8.5% protein. This corn has shown little change dur- 

 ing these years. It has been grown on the same land under uniform 

 conditions of rainfall and tillage. 



The second variety is a white corn of high protein content. The 

 seed was raised in North Carolina, and the corn analyzed was grown 

 in North Carolina. Its protein content is 9.6%. 



The third variety is a yellow corn, Golden Dent. This seed was 

 raised in North Carolina, and the corn analyzed was grown in North 

 Carolina. The protein content is approximately 6.7%. 



In each case several grains were taken from different parts of a 

 number of ears, and a composite sample was secured by mixing and 

 grinding. 



This year we made an analysis of a sample of the first variety, 

 Silver King, secured from ears grown in North Carolina. The seed, 

 however, was raised in West Virginia. It is our purpose to grow 

 this corn, Silver King, for a number of years in North Carolina, 

 reporting results, and also to grow the North Carolina varieties in 

 West Virginia, reporting results. 



We were limited in our choice of varieties, as the growing period 

 in West Virginia is only about 110 days. 



The altitude at which this corn was grown in West Virginia was 

 2500 feet. The altitude of Davidson, N. C, where the corn was 

 grown, is 800 feet. The season of North Carolina is approximately 

 30 days ahead of that in West Virginia. This should furnish such 

 a marked difference in climate that any variation in protein due to 

 this cause should be clearly shown. 



Our first experiment showed a marked change in the protein con- 

 tent, but in the direction that is exactly opposite to that generally 

 expected. It has been thought that warmer climates produced higher 

 protein in corn. No satisfactory reason, however, has been given 

 for this supposition. Quite recently it has been shown by a num- 

 ber of experiments that the sugar content has been raised by plant- 

 ing corn in colder climates. 



The analyses are given below : 



