THE LARGEST YIELD ON RECORD. 231 



means reached the ultima thule of possible success, 

 nor demonstrated the yet undeveloped capacity of 

 corn. There is reason to believe, both on theoretical 

 grounds and from actual though limited trials, that 

 the two hundred bushels of Dr. Parker are destined 

 to be materially surpassed, and probably at an early 

 day. 



It detracts nothing, however, from the credit of 

 his achievement to know that larger products, on a 

 small scale, have already been obtained. Experi- 

 mental results, though of limited extent, point clearly 

 to other and still higher yields. While it is true 

 enough that such results may not indicate, with cer- 

 tainty, the product of an acre, yet they are too signifi- 

 cant to be lightly regarded. The amount actually 

 obtained from a square rod, however large or incredi- 

 ble it may appear, is prophetic of a similar product 

 for entire fields. 



Natural laws can be examined and tested quite as 

 accurately and certainly on a small area of ground as 

 on one of larger extent. The man who obtains forty- 

 four quarts of grain from a square rod renders it prob- 

 able that either he or others, stimulated by his exam- 

 ple, will get two hundred and twenty bushels from 

 an acre. The latter may indeed be more difficult to 

 effect, yet in due time it will be accomplished. And 

 if from an area of half a rod the persevering experi- 

 menter succeeds in getting twenty-four quarts of 

 shelled corn, he may fairly claim that he has estab- 

 lished, not indeed the fact, but the undoubted possi- 

 bility of two hundred and forty bushels per acre. He 



