The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-12
Experiments with Seed Corn,
Ii. l. =.

Now that corn is being harvested, the time
is at hand for selecting the seed for next
years crop. Professor Sturtevant of the
New York Agricultural Experiment Station,
deserves the thanks of every farmer in the
country for the valuable information he has
published in his official bulletins and one of
the most important series of experiment Is
conducted was that relating to corn. The
Professor reminds farmers that there are q
number of distinct races of the corn plant
and he Classics such with botanical terms
which may be omitted here, but the common
names are the pops, fintS, dents, sweets and
softs. These differ from each other, more or
less, in. the construction of the kernels, and
in the habit of ripening and growth
The hint-corn kernel when split open, is
found to show three structures-Uhe chit, or
germ, lying in starchY substance, which is
surrounded by a corneous envelope. This
corn ripens from outward inward. The dent
corn has the chit starch and corneaus envel-
ope, but the corneous portions occupy the
sides, while at the terminal portion the
starch comes to the surface. Ths kind OF
corn ripens from within outward. The Tus-
carora (soft corn) is composed of the chit and
starehy portion, the corneous part being alb
sent. This ripens from the outside inward.
The sweet corn shows the chit and corneous
portion, without visible starch. 70 these
four types may be referred all the kinds that
are known, and they preserve a remarkable
eousrancy.
Some light is given also in relation to the
termination of the tips, butts and other por-
tions of the ear. The flint corn-tips are su-
perior to other grains of that race, while with
dents the opposite facts hold true, which ac-
counts for the many apparent discrepancies
thar have appeared on the comparisons OF
results for determining the terminating quail
ity of seed but the suggested system of class
ification the Professor believes, will prevent
such mistakes in future
Ehe results of the experiments clearly
show that the different races of corn may
have different habits and differently react TO
the factors of culture; and there seems a
possibility that the crossing of these types is
unfavorable to crops, while the crossing
within these types may be favorable. This
point is of great significance, for the pro-
lessor has solved one of the problems that
has puzzled farmers since corn has been eul-
tvated. 1t is well-known. fact that
corn will mix" when different varieties
are planted on Heighboring fields, or
when together, and farmers have endeavered
to secure the Improvement of corn by this
method. AS corn of the same type may be
crossed favorably, it is apparent that mix
ture of dent and flint corns would not be a
judicious one; but an improvement can be
made in crossing any of the dents together,
or any of the ftints with their own family
The sweet corns, having been crossed within
that variety, have been made to grow faster,
ripen earlier and produce more a6undantiv.
which corroborates the statement of Professor
Sturtevant; and the same may be said of the
dent corn in this State, which, by CAREFUL IN
breeding if the term may be used, has
reached a degree of excellence that permits
of but little Improvement The fiinrs which
are grown mostly in the South, have been
adapted especially to that section; and with
the Fight of experimental knowledge to class
ify and further select no doubt corn culture
will be practiced in future far more system
aticalIy than heretofore.