THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT ON THE COMPOSI- 

 TION OF SWEET CORN, 1905-1908. 



. ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK. 

 ARRANGEMENTS FOR COLLABORATION. 



In beginning the investigation of the effect of environment on the 

 composit ion of sweet corn, the experiment stations of South Carolina, 

 Maryland. Nr\\ Jeraej Connecticut, and Maine were asked to coop- 

 erate, the following lottci cut to the directors of these stations : 



MARCH 20, 1905. 



DE.AK Bn I have requested the Secretary to authorize this Bureau to study the 

 effect of environment upon the chemical composition of sugar corn, following the 

 method pursued in the past five years in conm rt ion with the problem of the sugar 

 beet. To this end we desire to have a small plat of sugar corn of uniform quality 

 planted at several agricultural experiment stations. The plat should not exceed 

 one-twentieth of an acre in area. The ordinary careful attention to the preparation 

 of the land and to the planting and cultivation will be expected to be given by the 

 station. At the proper time, when the corn is in the green state fit for consumption, 

 some samples should be harvested, packed under the directions to be furnished by 

 this Bureau, and mailed under frank for analysis. The work will not be onerous 

 and will be very valuable. We shall expect also a transcription of the meteorolog- 

 ical observations for this station every month. * * * 



Having received favorable replies from all of the stations men- 

 tioned, the following letter, together with the sample of corn to be 

 planted, was sent: 



DEAR SIR: In harmony with your agreement to cultivate a plat of sugar corn I am 

 sending you under separate cover 4 pounds of sugar-corn seed, "Stowell Evergreen," 

 grown in Connecticut. This is a part of the seed which will be planted at various 

 stations. I do not think it necessary to offer any suggestions in regard to the char- 

 acter of the soil or the method of cultivation which you may practice. The conditions 

 under which the work is conducted will determine for each place the character of 

 cultivation, etc. I suggest that you make a record of fieldwork as follows: 



1. Character of the soil. 



2. Previous history and cultivation as far as known. 



3. Kind of crop latt grown and character of fertilization. 



4. Depth of plowing and method of preparing seed bed. 



5. Date of planting. 



6. Date on which the young plants come up. 



7. Character and kind of fertilization. 



8. Frequency and manner of cultivation. 



9. Date of tasseling. 



10. Date at which corn reaches maturity, suitable for table use. 



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