The morning news., 1889-04-22
On improving Our Corn.

I4Nt+sASA@'
On Improving Our Corn.
Few agricultural products transferred
5,rectlv from a particular climate or pe-
,rliar soil to q climate or soil materially
d;fferent in character give as good results
os were given in the region from which
tbav were taken until they have undergone
generalization, so to speak, says the Mobile
Psoister Nature through long series of
Years had adapted them to certain existing
natural conditions, and when they do not
fnd these exact conditions in the new 10.
caIitv they are more or less off, aud must
remain so until they are brought around
right by the gradual workings of nature
several generations being often required to
Get them entirely at home
Among our products of wide range none
chow this effect in a more marked degree
than common Indian corn. As a conse-
ouence the southern people seldom get the
hest Of their corn crop, owing to the fact
that every year they bring their supply of
seed from the north, where climate and soil
conditions differ as widely from those of our
own section as it were possible for such
q
an unacclmated variety they invariably
nav the penalty of comparatively reduced
results.
A few southern farmers are now getting
their eyes open to this reasonable fact, and
are turning their attention to an exclusive
use of southern seed corn, with encourag-
ing effect, though the large majority have
10 believe, without reasoning in the prem
ises. and without practical demonstration,
of course. that northern seed corn is best
for southern planting. 1t certainly is not.
While any variety of corn that has long
been raised in the south is better for south
ern culture than the same variety brought
direct from the north, there is still open a
wide field for our improvement of those
southern-grown varieties by careful selec-
ton, or by crossing A little attention on
the part of the southern farmer would en-
able him to bring up the old varieties, by
selection, to their greatest degree of per
fection, and crossing might enable him to
spring new varieties entirely suited to our
climate and soil, and better, in many re-
spects, than any variety now cultivated by
us The operation in either case is both
easy and simple.
The plan indorsed by DR.. Daniel Lee, of
the Southern CuItiUutor, for improving
our corn by selection, may be set forth in
brief as follows: Make a record of the
date at which your corn came up. If you
desire an early variety go over the field
when the corn begins to first show silk and
tassel, and mark with a suitable label all
the really good stalks that show the silk at
exactly the same time, choosing such as silk
earliest, of course. Later, when the ears
begin TO dry, go over the field again and
mark all the best and dryest ears to be
found on the marked stalks. When ripe
pull and keep these ears to themselves, and
from among them select the best for your
seed corn. By repeating this process a few
years you will have your variety settled
down to the very best that is in it.
To have the date of coming up is interest
ing, as it will show how much time is re-
quired for your corn to mature; and choos-
ing such specimens as have silked and tas-
seled at precisely the same time is particu-
lary important, as much depends upon
that so far as relates to a thorough filling
Of the ears A field of corn that does not
silk and tassel evenly" stands chance
Of having many of his ears not well filled
out.
If a late variety of corn is desired the
latest stalks to silk and tassel will be the
stalks to mark, etc.
To cross one variety of corn with an
other plant the variety you desire to cross
upon here and there about in the field of
the variety from which you desire to OBJ
tain the cross, marking the hills. When the
stalks In the marked hills have developed
tassels cut the tassels away promptly be-
lore they have natured, but do not disturb
The silks. The ears on these stalks will then
be fertilized by pollen dust from the tassels
Of the other variety, and hence a cross will
he entirely sure No change in the appear
anceot the corn may appear the first sea
son of the cross, but when grown the next
season marked change may be made mani
lest For successfully conducting this ex-
pertinent 1t Is imperatively important that
the two varieties silk and tassel at the same
tine. Without this no corn would be de-
'eioped. Ol this account it will be neces-
0aiy 10 take into consideration the com
Paratlve earliness or lateueSs of the varie-
Nss ana govern your action accordingly. If
you desire to cross a late variety upon an
carly variety, you must plant the early va
Ilety long enough after the lato variety has
Deeh planted to bring the two into bloom
''as9sil at the same time, reversing 10 case
you desire to cross early or late.
Comforts on the Farm.
The Lowell journal thinks That farm