The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-20
Large Cob Corn,

Large Cob Corn.
There eau be no question that the
large cob, or Gourd seed corn such as
is grown on the Brandywiue hills and
other of the strong soils of Chester
county, is by far the most productive
variety of Indian corn known. We see
it doubted in various quarters Of the
country, that such crops Of corn as we
occasionally raise here, have ever been
grown, and yet there is no more doubt
Of from Que hundred to one hundred
and twenty bushels Of shelled corn per
acre having been frequently grown 10
this section, than there is Of coru being
grown at all. We were told some wears
ago, by prominent member of the So
oiety Of Friends, who was travelling
with another on religious service 10 the
northern part of New York State, where
the winters were very long, and the old
Dutton corn, growing five feet high.
the variety usually planted, that 10 sit
ting around the stove of an evening, he
accidentally mentioned to his host,
" that in his part of the country (he
was FROM this section, man on horse.
back could ride into the middle of a
corn field, aud person outside could
see neither man nor horse" The resi-
dent Of that country remarked, that
such tales as that would destroy any
mans character for yeracity 10 his
neighborhood, but as the statement had
however, been made, (although it was
just alter supper he thought "the best
thing under the circumstances was for
them all to 90 to bed, = and try and for
get what had passed.
Ii is common to say about these big
corn crops, that acres are measured
rery large and bushels gerry small, but
We know personally Of one case where
the following sure test land there can
be no better was applied The ground
was measured by regular surveyor,
who made au affidavit to its correctness.
The corn was sold 10 the ear by the bar
rel, one barrel being shelled and one
measured. The grower OF the corr
hauled and delivered to one party, a
grain dealer, aud put The money IN his
pocket, for l25 bushels per acre, aver.
age over the whole field Of, if we recol.
lect right, some s TO 0 acres.
Several crops were raised 10 Chester
county this past season, of 100 to l2O
bushels shelled corn per acre.
This large cob corr, of course, has a
large number of grains We have none
by US 10 count these, but one Of our
friends lately counted the grains on a
single ear, and found them 1920. An.
other found many Of his ears numbered
400 grains, measured Is inches in
length, and the stalks, one foot above
the ground, were four inches in circum,
ference. This is not uncommon. A
lair comparison, showing the produc
tiveness OF the variety, may be made BY
any one counting the grains on any car
Of the s or 10 or II rowed corn, eithe,
white or yellow.
We have had sections of corn.stalks
10 our Office measuring four inches ia
circumference, aud we have seen them
over sixteen feet high. They often bear
two large ears each.
The large cob or Gourd seed corn re,
quires strong soil, aud il is folly to at.
tempt to grow it elsewhere. Ii also
generally requires the whole growing
season. We have known it, bat very
rarely, to be caught by premature frost,
in September,
The premium crop, being the best ere
Of corn competed for last season, amoup
the members of the Brandywine Far
mers' Club in Chester county, was
awarded by the committee to David Ii.
Branson. They husked and weighed
the corn aud found by actual measure
mcnt 1898 lbs, equal to l27 bushels 80
2 5 lbs. allowing 10 lbs. to the bushel.