The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-25
WONDERFUL YIELD OF CORN.
Indiana Variety Pr. 2cs 200 Bushels
to the Acre.

.'CS $OO buSncIS
to the Acre.
Scottsburg Letter. in st. Louis Globe-Dem-
Remarkable as it may seem, there are
two small fields of corn in this (ScotD
county which will yield over two hundred
rion Harrod, of Alpha nine miles north of
here, and consists of one acre, off of which
MIR. Harrod claims he will raise 250 BUSH
els. The other is a field of seven acres,
owned by E. p. McCaslin, of this city who
introduced it here, and it will yield fully
as much per acre as the field owned by Mr..
Harrod.
A description of this wonderful species of
corn and short sketch of it's peculiar ORR
the land, as it bids fair to supplant the
cultivation of all other varieties. Last
year Mr.. McCaslin made scientific expert
mentS in the culture of corn on his farm,
seven miles north of here. He raised TWEEN
ty-twO varieties, many of which are wholly
unknown to the farmers Of Indiana, and
experiments proved highly successful and
are of great value not only to the farmer,
but also to science. OF all his experiments,
however, the most notable and important
by far was the species above referred to.
1t is a remarkable specimen, and is surely
the acme in the cultivation Of corn. It has
no name, other than that supplied by its
producer who has named it CornucOpia,
meaning, as every one knows. horn of
plenty. 1t may sound startling to say that
two hundred bushels of it can be raised to
the acre but it is true, and the poorest
ground will produce at least one hundred
bushels. This wonderful corn was origi-
mated by a gentleman from Kentucky about
four years ago, and Mr.. McCaslin thinks
he had last year every grain that re-
manned of the first crop, which was the
only one raised, it being the OutgrOwth of
a long succession of experiments in cross
ing various species. The entire growth,
which was small, for some reason, was
shipped to a syndicate in the Northeast,
and, with the exception of one ear was
probably sold north of the fortieth paral-
lei. Being of slow growth. ii would
not reproduce in that climate, and it is
likely that it has all been lost, except that
raised in this county from the one ear that
was left behind. Its originator, removing
to a different country, presented the ear
to Mr.. McCaslin. exacting from him the
promise that he would develop it, unmixed
with other corn. OF that ear, Mr. McCaslin
reached home with exactly 34S grains,
which were as precious to him gold.
out Of these, owing to the drought last
spring, but 242 sprouted. The corn, how
ever, thrived we'll under the cultivator's
careful attention, and from the couple of
hundred grains planted he reaped harvest
of little over seven bushels. OF this he
sold small portion in packages to farm
ers who were eager to get but a few
grains, and the rest he planted in his own
ground. Mr. Harrod obtained some of the
grain and, like everybody who has seen
the corn, is enthusiastic over it.
Every stalk of this remarkable corn pro-
duces at least five well-hlled ears, aVerag>
ing at least three which are ten inches in
length, while on some stalks are to be found
as many as ten perfect ears. This, how
ever is unusual. and is caused by extreme
wet weather The corn is a stout grower,
and the stalks are more than two inches in
diameter 1t is a white Dent Ohe most val
liable raised) of first-class quality, being
very solid on the cob and runs from ten
to fourteen rows to the cob. Five ears
taken from one stalk. selected at random.
last year, and thoroughly dried. weighed
two pounds and eight ounces, which would
be over two hundred bushels to the acre,
the corn being planted eighteen inches
apart The corn does not stool, and should
not be planted more than two grains TO the
HILL as more impairs the quality Mr..
McCaslin thinks it will produce over two
hundred bushels to the acre if planted one
grain to each hill, and the most or his is so
planted this year He claims it will yield
at least three times much per acre as
any other variety known. however rich or
poor the ground, and without any more in
jury to the soil. The appearance of his
field fully bears out his estimates. For
commercial purposes the quality of the corn
will command the highest market prices
Mr.. McCasln hopes from his crop this year
to extend its cultivation TO various parts
of the State and eventually South and
West He regards it of inestimable
value The farmers are enthusiastic over
it and believe that 1t win in time revolu-
tionize the industry handed down by our
Indian predecessors.