
CORN GROWING in many of the northern areas and 
in high altitude regions might be compared to a hun- 
dred yard dash. To get the results farmers want, corn 
has to take off fast and keep on going at top speed 

right across the finish line. 
Knowing this, some years ago Prof. Ed Walters, corn extension agrono- 
mist at Penn State, challenged Funk corn breeders to produce a hybrid 
equal in rapid starting and fast drying to Early Butler, a native strain of high 
altitude areas in Pennsylvania. Although it lacked desirable yielding quali- 
ties, Early Butler started fast, even in cool soil, and those solid little ears 
dried down with remarkable speed after maturity. This challenge prompted 
Les Hug of our Research Staff to set in motion the development of Early 
Butler inbreds which now are helping make better corn, faster, through 
G-Hybrids especially adapted to win the race against frost ... 
Intensive work produced inbreds with Early Butler’s ability to grow 
rapidly under cold spring weather conditions, and to dry amazingly fast in 
the fall. These inbreds went into many hybrid combinations with other 
Funk pure lines, some of which originated in the Dakotas and Minnesota. 
om 
They were routed into all Funk proving plots across the northern United *>-. 
ie S 
States and Canada where early maturity is necessary. In s 
open pollinated corn and commonly used hybrids were- ky 
of the Early Butler experimental hybrids were waist high. Incool” Augast ; 
and September nights these outstanding Early Butler hybrids epee 
to fill and mature the ears at a rapid rate. Now proven and accepted, these 
new hybrids are making corn history with heavy yields of fast-maturing, a 
sound corn on good stalks—where such hybrids were never available before. 
. Another triumph for Funk Nationwide Research. 
because of nationwide resourees 
“Why don’t you develop 
a Hybrid with Early 
Butler ability to start 
fast in the Spring and 
dry fast after maturity?” 

