The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-10-10
OUR CORN SHOW.
Samples of Mahaska County Pro-
duct Gathered by The Herald.


illinois, exposition, is growing daily
and some very fine samples are being
shown.
John Moore, of Jefferson township,
brings fine sample and says, "who
was it said we we're not to have any
corn in our part of the county this
season." The samples shown by Mr.
Moore give the lie to this statement
with vengeance. The samples are
fine and will show we'll about forty
bushels average acreage throughout
the field.
John Eckroat, of Scott township,
brings one of the best samples of the
three varieties, red, white and yellow,
that has yet come it. All ears are we'll
filed and show a fair acreage. Mr..
Eckroat also brought along side
show in the shape of ten great fat
sweet potatoes growing upon single
plant. Corn or potatoes Mahaska
county soil cannot be discounted.
Capt. o. B. Shields comes. forward
with the biggest claim that we have
yet encountered and his son, George,
substantiates the claims made. The
claim set up is to the effect that the
variety shown will show an average
of so bushels to the acre. The variety
is the "Shaller" the seed of which
was secured from Congressman John
F. Lacey three years ago and this is
the first time crop has been taken
from the returns of the seed. The
corn was grown on ordinary soil that
has been cropped every year but one
in the past IL years. There are 1856
acres in the piece and the gentlemen
claim that the returns will be fully so
bushels to the acre. OF the cornigath
cred there were 1 $40 bushels in
piece of 20 acres, and this was no
better and not 30 good as some parts
of the field. Six of the ears shown
weighed II pounds and the seasoned
cob will run less than 11pounds to the
bushel. The ears will average II
inches in length. The single grains
are of great size aud depth and of
deep yellow color. The variety is be-
yond any question one of the best
that has yet come into the Office.
Jay Cruzen, formerly county auditor
of Mahaska county, came to the Of
fee the other day with collection
that he said was "just corn" There
were eight or ten ears Of the Mahaska
county product that could not be dis
counted anywhere in the state. The
sample is only an average taken from
the gentleman's fields as lit was
brought in for husking, and it most
certainly give the lie to the story that
the crop is short in this part of the
state. But the fact remains that it
is little less than wonderful how all
these fine specimens of the grain
could have been grown with the limit
ed supply of moisture that was to be
had this summer.
j. F. MCGEE, of Scott township,
brings another sample of special
crop that is far beyond the average.
The gentleman calls the sample shown
pride of Nesha" and it certainly is
worthy of being pride of some one.
The sample was planted on May %,
and on account of the extremely dry
weather did not get startlfor thirty
days more. There was about three
fourths of stand as it was, but that
much of the seed planted went for
ward at a satisfactory rate with but
two plowings and has given splendid
returns. There will be between 30
and 40 bushels to the acre and the
quality is par excellence. The variety
is yellow, great longiears filed well
down to the very end. The kernels
are somewhat smaller than some 9th
er varieties seen but they make up in
number and fullness any short COM
Jugs in size that may be marked
against them. The grain is an ex-
'ample Of what may be accomplished
with these special varieties.
Abraham Bailey brings US a sample
of field planted by him that shows a
remarkable development, all kernals
being filed out to roundness and this
after being thoroughly seasoned. 1t
was of very late planting and at no
time since the seed was placed in the
ground was there sufficient rain to
carry moisture to a depth of two
inches. During the terrible heat and
hot winds of July the small plants
hung withered and limp and there
was no thought that the field would
be fit even for fodder. 1t was per-
mitted to remain, however, as there
was nothing else that the ground
could be used!for at that time. Now
comes the surprise that Mr.. Bailey is
gathering 80 bushels to the acre from
that same field when he did not ex-
poet to get an ear. Along with this
sample he shows some samples of
earlier planting, but we incline to-
ward the belief that the corn that was
once discarded as worthless is the
best grain the gentleman has raised
during the season.
OLD PEOPLE HAVE THEIR
TROUBLES.
Mr.. Francis Little, of Benton Harbor.