Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-07-26
L...N coRN-sTALKs.
The Result of Proper Fertilization of the
Stalks When in Bloom.

Stalks When In Bloom.
In many of the crops which the
farmer grows he has little, if any, di-
rect opportunity of determining or
judging of the degree of barreaness
that exists. Could every seed thai IS
placed in the soil produce to its full
capacity, the result OF the harvest
would be much in excess of what j:
usually is. How many stalks of rye.
wheat, oats or barley are either wholly
or partially barren is only seldom II
ever observed, and yet the amount. II
known, would be astOnishingly great.
The same may be said of other plants;
but with corn the case becomes much
more noticeable. because in harvesting
or husking nearly or quite every stalk
comes under observation. The num-
Der of barren stalks to be found, even
in a year of average yield, Is consid-
cradle, and in exceptional years may
be very large. In average years it is
not an uncommon thing to find stalks
with nothing but the embryo OF an ear,
while in others there may be a
fully developed cob, but wholly or
partially barren of grain, and this is
much larger than is often supposed.
Barrenness results from a want of
proper fertilization of the stalks when
in bloom.
In many instances the condition of
barrenness is natural; that is, in every
field of corn there will be found some
stalks that are wholly destitute of so
much as the germ of an ear, but which
will tassel out and furnish pollen for
the fertilization of other stalks. Upon
the principle that like produces like. ,
it would seem to be very undesirable to
have field of corn fortified to any
great extent by such means. The only
safe remedy would seem to be to go
over the field and cut out all the stalks
that are without ears; but this would
be slow and tedious process. and the
more natural way would seem to be 10
confine operations to a limited extent
sufficient for seed purposes. Fertiliza-
tions may also be affected very disas-
trously by violent storms of rain Occur
ring about the time the pollen is il is
active state, whereby it is rendered in
effectual. The degree of barrenness is
greater than would be supposed. and
varies with different varieties of corn.
During the year 1886 examination
was made of several varieties OF corn
at the farm of the University of Iii
nois, which showed an unusual per-
centage of barrenness. This, howeve".
is believed to have been caused
many cases stalks were not counted
barren that produced ears of Very lit
tie value Five hundred stalks were
counted, and the number OF barren
ears varied in seven varieties from 81
stalks to 126, or from 6>2 per cent. 10
25.2 per cent. The thought of per
cent. of barren stalks is bad enough,
but when it is increased to % pc"
cent. it represents a discouragilg rs
pect to farmers.
The advance that is made in the
scientific study of agriculture shows
more and more clearly the necessity OF
a better understanding of the laws
that underlie farm operations, and cs-
pecially vegetable physiology. II by
the exercise of little Intelligence and
properly directed care the crops grown
by the farmers can be increased even
a very small per cent. it is high time
that there was an awakening to the
fact and a change of base of operations
provided for. The great aim should be
10 secure the best possible results from
the labor bestowed William II. leo
mans, IN Boston GLOBE.