May 3,1924 Relative Merits of Sweet Corn Varieties for Canning 407 
EARLY INVESTIGATIONS 
The experimental work upon which this report is based was begun in 1919 
when a number of the leading varieties of sweet corn were tested for the com¬ 
parative merits of their canned product. The corn was grown especially for the 
work at the Arlington experiment farm, Virginia. When sufficiently mature, 
the ears were plucked in what was considered prime canning condition, and 
removed at once to the laboratory where the corn was immediately prepared for 
the can. Uniform canning methods were followed throughout the whole experi¬ 
ment so that the canned products were entirely comparable. Shortly after the 
end of the season these canned corns were subjected to critical comparative 
study with respect to appearance, flavor, and general table qualities, and the 
results placed on record for future reference in connection with later experiments 
similarly conducted. 
During the season of 1920 the work was repeated, using a somewhat larger 
number of varieties. Upon critical examination of the cut-out material of this 
pack, however, it was found that although the corns had been grown under as 
nearly identical conditions as possible, and the same canning methods had been 
followed, the corns graded entirely differently from those of the preceding 
season. For instance, Country Gentleman which graded “first” in the 1920 
pack held third place the previous year, and Golden Bantam which was given 
first place in 1919 yielded to Charlevoix in 1920. Other varieties also held 
different relative positions. 
Reserve stocks of the 1919 pack were then opened for comparison with the 
corns canned in 1920, and the packs subjected to careful study to determine 
what the nature of the differences were, and to learn, if possible, the reasons 
for the same. The conclusion arrived at was that some factor or factors other 
than varietal differences determine to a large extent the quality of the canned 
corn. The most prominent factor seemed to be that of maturity of the corn at 
the time of harvesting which affected the condition of the carbohydrates, the 
delicacy of flavor, and the toughness of the kernel. It was thought also that 
climatic or seasonal factors might be responsible in part, and possibly also the 
soil conditions. It was apparent that here was a very important problem which 
needed thorough study. 
Pressure of work upon other investigations prevented the carrying forward 
of this work during the 1921 season. 
WORK OF 1922 
In the spring of 1922 plans were laid for the study of the problem upon a 
more comprehensive scale, the object being to correlate varietal, maturity, and 
other factors involving the quality of the canned product, and to bring to light 
any significant facts previously neglected or overlooked. The plan called for 
the study of all the important varieties used for canning purposes, under, as 
nearly as possible identical conditions as regarded climate, soil and cultivation, 
and field and laboratory technique. No attempt was made to investigate the 
relation of fertilizer and soil factors to the problem but meteorological and other 
environmental factors were studied so far as data in regard to them could be 
obtained. 
The varieties studied included both white and yellow sorts and comprised 
early, medium and late maturing corns. These, given in approximately the 
order of maturing, were: Of the white sorts, Howling Mob, Crosby, IJickox’s 
Improved, Potter’s Excelsior, Kelly’s Hybrid, Mammoth Sugar, Old Colony, 
Narrow Grained Evergreen, Country Gentleman, and Stowell’s Evergreen; and 
of the yellow, Golden Bantam, Dreer’s Golden Giant, Charlevoix, Morse’s Golden 
