68 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



practical importance. This Table of Equivalents was given in 

 my Fourth Annual Report, page 135. 



The varieties of Indian corn are very numerous, as its flexi- 

 bility of organization makes it easy of adaptation to different 

 climates and soils, and they are constantly changing in charac- 

 ter and in number, from the shrubby reed on the shores of 

 Lake Superior, to the giant stalks of the Mississippi Valley — 

 the tiny ears with flat, close, clinging grains of the Canada — the 

 brilliant, rounded little pearl — the bright, red grains and white 

 cob of the eight-rowed hematite — the swelling ear of the big 

 wliite, and the yellow gourd seed of the South. 



Though it prefers moist and rich soils with strong heats, and 

 in the warmest regions, three crops can be taken in a season, yet 

 some varieties grow at the height of seven thousand feet above 

 the level of the sea in those regions. There are said to be one 

 hundred and twenty varieties in Spain. M. Bonafous mentions 

 ten varieties of white, twelve of yellow, and one of red, and one 

 variegated purple on a yellow ground. Varieties differ from 

 each other in the color, form and size of the grains, and of the 

 cob, and number of rows of kernels on the cob, in tlieir time 

 of maturity, their resistance to cold, to drought and to wet, the 

 weight of the grain, the tendency to keep, and the chemical 

 and economical characteristics ; and there are many differences 

 and many grades of value as fodder. The general preference 

 is for clear white or yellow, large ear, with a small cob, long, 

 heavy grain and early ripening. 



The varieties of Indian corn differ so much in their various 

 qualities, that the farmer must always know what he is plant, 

 ing and select according to the uses he will make of it, the 

 length of season where he is, and the weight on an acre. The 

 Canada corn ripens in 100 days from planting ; the Rocky 

 Mountain requires 110 days. Long Island corn is said to grow 

 on a given space, 10 lbs. 12 oz., while the twelve-rowed red 

 Tariety, on the same space would grow 15 lbs. 2 oz. ; but on a 

 different soil and different climate the Long Island would exceed 

 the twelve-rowed in its returns. The large late white flint 

 corn yields 2j^^ tons to the acre, on the same soil where the 

 large twelve-rowed yellow Sioux yields o^q tons to the acre. 

 Some varieties make muscle most abundantly, others fat. The 

 large, sound, yellow corn contains I^yu P^^' cent, of albumen, 



