50 



THE VEGETABLES OF NEW YORK 



cylindrical; rows 10-12, usually straight, occasionally somewhat 

 irregular at base; crowded around cob; tip abruptly conical. 



Kernels at milk stage white, medium size, shallow; at dry 

 stage dull white, slightly broader than long, rather thick, 1.0 x 1.1 x 

 .42 cm. 100 seeds per oz. I; nearly square; crown somewhat rough; 

 surface sparsely and coarsely wrinkled, often deeply ridged; set 

 tightly on cob. 



Melrose. Refs. 74, 207, 208, 405, 450, 452, 454, 503, 

 515, 517, 518, 533. Syn. New Melrose. 



One of the earliest records of Melrose occurs in the 

 1895 catalog of J. M. Thorburn and Company. It was 

 listed by several other organizations and as far as can 

 be determined was listed by Thorburn until 1912 and 

 by Tait until 1918. 



Little definite information is available concerning 

 the description of plant or ear. The editor's report of 

 the Rural New-Yorker for 1897 is perhaps the most 

 enlightening article regarding this sort. In this article 

 Melrose is reported to have produced plants about the 

 same height as the first earliest (at that time Cory, etc.), 

 producing 2 ears per stalk which averaged 9 inches in 

 length, possessing 12 rows. The kernels were medium 

 size and were of better quality than any of the other 

 first earlies. He concluded his article by saying, " It 

 is the best sort of just its season, that we have tried." 



Metropolitan. Refs. 71. 139, 238, 241, 257, 329, 335, 

 345, 403, 517, 518, 525, 533. Syns. Early Metro- 

 politan, Improved Metropolitan. 



This eld sort introduced by Peter Henderson in 

 1898 was seemingly well thought of during the 

 succeeding 10 years. The original strain came from 

 a Mr. Browning of Lake Waccabuck, New York. There 

 were three serious defects to which early varieties of 

 corn were susceptible, viz., weakness of plant, inferior 

 flavor, and susceptibility to a fungus growth known as 

 smut. In surmounting these defects Metropolitan out- 

 classed its contemporary varieties and has continued as 

 a great favorite on the market. 



At Geneva 92 days were required before Metro- 

 politan came into production, which proved to be 4 

 days earlier than Henderson, 6 days earlier than Stowell's 

 Evergreen, and 4 days later than Howling Mob. The 

 plants are 1 } o feet shorter than Henderson, have a 

 greater tendency to tiller, and are less streaked with red 

 on the tassels. The husked ears are shorter, not as 

 plump, and have 2 to 4 less rows of kernels. In the 

 dry stage the kernels are not as long in proportion to 

 the breadth as those of Henderson, but otherwise are 

 much alike. 



Plant moderately tall, 6,' -r-1 feet; stalks straight, medium 

 heavy; nodes 10-12, usually covered, not very prominent. Brace 

 roots present, rather heavy, whorl complete on one node, useful. 

 Tillers moderately many, about J :; shorter than central stalk. 

 Leaves long and medium broad, 34-36 x 3 ' 2-4 inches, rather heavy 

 and coarse; terminal spike erect; lateral spikelets moderately erect to 

 horizontal; medium long, moderately many and crowded; bracts 

 variable, although usually dark green, striped with a lighter shade; 

 anthers buff ^chamois i; 74-76 days to anthesis. 



Ears borne at 4th and 5th nodes, one ear per stalk with an 

 additional nubbin present. Shank variable, rather heavy. Husk 

 leaves few, rather long and narrow, light. Husks many, heavy, 

 moderately long, tightly WTapped and difficult to remove. Husked 



ear moderately long and moderately plump, 8-9 x 1 3 4~2 inches, 

 slightly tapering; base slightly enlarged and compressed; tip rather 

 abruptly conical and slightly exposed; rows 10-12, straight, regular, 

 crowded around the cob. 



Kernels at milk stage white, small, medium width and shallow; 

 at dry stage short, thick and narrow, .96 x 1.1 x .43 cm. (120 seeds 

 per oz. !; nearly square; crown moderately rounded; surface abund- 

 antly but rather shallowly wrinkled; set moderately tight on cob. 



Mexican Wonder. Refs. 345, 492. Syn. New Mexican 

 Wonder. 



This variety was a chance hybrid, involving Black 

 Mexican and an unknown white, developed by A. L. 

 Mogle of Wilkinson, Indiana. Stark Brothers of Louisi- 

 ana, Missouri, who introduced the variety about 1929 

 mention the fact that the variety was grown by the 

 originator in its mixed condition for 15 years before 

 it was listed by them. The mixture, consisting of both 

 white and bluish-black kernels, continued to be present 

 to 1931 when the variety was discontinued. It was 

 handicapped, of course, by the appearance of the dark 

 kernels when left too long before using, and although of 

 good quality, in this respect was accorded the same 

 reaction reiterated in the discussion of Black Mexican 

 and Pickaninny. 



Eighty-two days were required to produce edible 

 ears, which proved to be 4 days earlier than Black 

 Mexican. The plants were slightly shorter and more 

 bushy in appearance, due to shorter internodes and the 

 consequent greater number of leaves, as well as the 

 presence of numerous husk leaves. The husked ears 

 differ from those of Black Mexican in possessing more 

 rounded tips, often more rows, narrower kernels, and 

 larger cobs. 



Midget. Refs. 58, 348, 504. Syns. Bantam Crosby, 

 Chinese Midget. Illus. 25, 49. 



This is the only miniature sweet corn in all the 

 long list of varieties. It has been in use on private estates 

 for many years where it was generally known as Midget 

 and only recently has it been listed in catalogs. Joseph 

 Breck & Sons of Boston call it Bantam Crosby and 

 have so carried it since 1923. Stumpp & Walter first 

 listed it as Midget in 1924. We have been unable to 

 trace the origin of this variety and our search has followed 

 one trail from estate to estate across Long Island up 

 along the New England Coast to Brookline and Groton, 

 Massachusetts, and across the line into New Hampshire. 

 It has been grown on many of the finest private estates 

 in the country, including " Holmlea " developed by the 

 late Prof. C. S. Sargent of Brookline. 



In a few places where it has been grown it has been 

 known as Chinese Midget. This might indicate an 

 Asiatic origin. It is wholly distinct and there is nothing 

 like it among cultivated varieties of sweet corn. The 

 variety New Queen as described in 1889 showed some 

 similar characteristics, but since this variety was soon 

 lost no direct comparison could be made. 



Edible ears were produced at Geneva in 78 days, 

 in season with Honey Dew, and 3 days later than Alpha. 

 The plants are 1 } ■> to 2 feet shorter than those of Honey 

 Dew, are more inclined to tiller, and have more red 



