306 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



and Early Scioto, all of which are long-established and valuable varieties. There are many 

 kinds of the large Southern and Western corn, among which are the White Gourd Seed, 

 Early Galena, Southern Big Yellow, Illinois Yellow, Long John, Queen of the Prairie, Ches 

 ter County Mammoth, Evans and Proctor, all of which are largely cultivated. The last three 

 varieties are of extremely large growth, both in stalks and grain, and thrive best on very rich 

 soil. There are many sub-varieties intermediate between the larger and smaller kinds, which 

 are known and valued in certain localities, and which seem especially adapted to those 

 sections, intermediate between which the early-ripening and the larger and later varieties are 

 grown. These are considerably larger than the early sorts, but smaller than the large gourd- 

 seed varieties. The &quot;Connecticut Valley corn&quot; and its numerous variations are examples of 

 this species, and are much more extensively grown in Connecticut and Massachusetts than 

 any other. It is very prolific, ripens in about four months from the time the seed is planted, 

 while its quality is superior to the gourd-seed kinds. The Improved King Philip or Rhode 

 Island is of a similar type, and has long been one of the leading kinds. The &quot;White Prolific 

 and &quot;Waushakum Thoroughbred are recent varieties of great promise. The Sweet corn, with 

 its many types, forms a very palatable and nutritious article of diet, when properly prepared, 

 and one which in this country is very popular. 



It is almost needless to particularize the valuable and popular varieties, as new ones are 

 constantly being introduced, and the farmer will find no difficulty in selecting such as, with 

 proper cultivation, will give good results. At a recent meeting of the Massachusetts Board 

 of Agriculture, the following description of the model or ideal ear of corn was given by the 

 committee: 



&quot; It has an ear medium in size as regards the diameter; the kernels are deep; the cob is 

 small at the butt ; and the ear holds its bigness towards the point until very near the tapering- 

 off . It should be capped over ; and the kernels should hold their bigness towards the point 

 and at the butt run out straight, and not crinkle.&quot; 



In the selection of ears for planting purposes, it will be well for the farmer to have an 

 &quot;ideal ear&quot; in mind as far as the main points are concerned. Whatever the kind cultivated, 

 it should be adapted to the soil and climate. Only the early-ripening varieties should be 

 grown in the extreme northern section of the country, as the later ones will not have time to 

 fully mature and ripen during the short summer. Many of the early kinds will ripen in 

 ninety days after planting. 



Selection Of Seedt The quality and quantity of the crop is largely modified by the 

 quality of seed sown, and whatever the variety, only the most perfectly developed and ripened 

 seed should be selected for this purpose. Corn taken from the bin at random for planting, 

 as is the custom, with many farmers can never give in result that of careful selection. 

 Some of our choicest kinds have been brought to their present high standard by selecting 

 only the earliest and largest ears from the most prolific and thrifty stalks, and by careful 

 cultivation for several years in succession. The selection can best be made in the field before 

 the crop is gathered, as it affords a better opportunity of comparison. By careful selection 

 and cultivation of seed for a few years, astonishing results will be produced in the improve 

 ment of the crop. Dr. Sturtevant says: 



&quot; To the seed must we look first, in order to secure improvement, in order to gain the 

 maximum crop at the least expense. It is not enough to select the ear; this process has done 

 something; but alone, this is not sufficient. &quot;We must pay attention to the past history of 

 our seed ; we must breed our corn ; we must secure prolific ancestry, and use the seeds from 

 fecund parents. 



My attention was forcibly called to the importance of the seed in 1875, the seed used 

 appearing to the eye of equally good quality, but from different sources. The field was of 

 like history, was manured alike with barn yard manure, and was cultivated as one field. 



