TESTS OF CORN VARIETIES ON THE GREAT PLAINS. 3 



the quality of the crop produced is usually poor, owing to earworm 

 injury. 



In the most northern sections and in the high altitudes along the 

 western border, the short season prevents the growing of any except 

 very early varieties of corn, and these reach full maturity only in 

 favorable years. 



ADAPTABILITY OF VARIETIES. 



Not much attention has been given to seed selection and improve- 

 ment in this area. Established varieties are few, and seed shortages 

 are frequently caused by crop failures. These conditions create a 

 need for information as to what may be expected from different 

 kinds of seed. 



The following descriptive list of varieties and results of trials re- 

 ported calls attention to differences which have been found to exist 

 between the varieties grown and indicates in a general way what may 

 be expected from them in different localities. 



This list includes varieties which have been grown in at least two 

 trials made by the Department of Agriculture in the Plains area. 

 Many other varieties are adapted to and grown in this area. For 

 various localities some of these may be superior to any varieties 

 included in this list. 



A great variety of colors is found among dent, flint, and soft corns. 

 Among flint corns white and yellow colors predominate, while among 

 flour corns blue and mixed colors are of more frequent occurrence. 



Dent, flint, and soft varieties of corn are listed separately, and a 

 brief introductory description is given of the importance and peculi- 

 arities of each class. 



DENT VARIETIES. 



The dent corns are more extensively grown in the Plains area than 

 are the flint and flour or soft corns. A considerable diversity of type 

 exists between varieties, and within many so-called varieties almost 

 as irreat diversity exists as between varieties. In dent corns, which 

 have been grown in this section foi some time, there is a tendency 

 toward flintiness or hardness of texture. Whether this is due to mix- 

 ing with flint corns or to a natural effect of the adverse climatic con- 

 ditions has not been determined. A greater tendency to sucker is 

 also evidenl among these corns than among the dent corns of the corn- 

 bell States. This is probably due both to the lack of selection to 

 suppress the tendency and to the stimulus of favorable conditions in 

 the early 9tages of growth. Iji much of Ihis region the soils are fertile 

 and usually in good physical condition in the spring. They are light 

 enough in texture to warm up readily and usually contain sufficient 

 and seldom nn excess of nioi-i n re. These conditions favor a rapid 

 early growth, which is usually accompanied by profuse suckering. 



