CHAPTER VIII 

 CORN CULTURE 



Selecting a Variety. In the Gulf States " prolific varieties " 

 are grown mostly, which means varieties normally producing more 

 than one ear on a stalk (Fig. 23). North of the Ohio River only 

 single-ear varieties are grown. Between the Ohio River and the 

 Gulf States is an intermediate territory where both kinds are grown. 



The varieties in the corn belt and southward are- practically all 

 dent corns,, but north of the corn belt and at high elevations flint 

 varieties are grown mostly. Flint corns will mature in cooler 

 climates. 



Some of the well-known prolific varieties are Mosby, Blount, 

 Cocke's Prolific, Sanders, Albemarle, and Marlboro. 



The most important large white dent varieties are Boone County 

 White, St. Charles White, Silver Mine; and the most important 

 large yellow varieties are Learning, Riley's Favorite, Reid's Yellow 

 Dent, and Legal Tender. 



The best known early dent varieties are Pride of the North, White 

 Cap, Minnesota No. 13, Wisconsin No. 7, Early Huron, and Early 

 Calico. 



Well-known flint varieties are King Philip, Sanford White, Smut 

 Nose, Gold Nugget, Eight-row, and Twelve-row yellow flints. 



There are probably more than 1000 varieties of corn, but the few 

 varieties named (and varieties derived from them) constitute a very 

 large percentage of the corn raised. Learning and Silver Mine are 

 probably raised most extensively. 



There are many varieties thoroughly adapted to certain condi- 

 tions, and farmers should always investigate local varieties first 

 (Fig. 24). It has already been pointed out (Chapter VII) that 

 thoroughly adapted corn is better than corn from a distance. The 

 only exception to this rule is in the case of corn grown for fodder or 

 silage north of the corn belt. Since silage is sometimes cut green, 

 the corn need not mature, and a large, late variety will often produce 

 more feed than one that would mature. 

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