The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-01-29
THE CORN CROP HAZARD.

One Shouldn't Take Chances on Seed.
"Any Old Corn" Will Not Do.
The Importance of securing reliable
and well bred seed corn this year has
been doubly emphasized ~ the vast
difference in the yield Of fields in the
same localities. Corn growers are fast
breaking away from the idea that crib
corn will do for seed AS much thought
full attention and care should be given
to the buying and selection of seed
corn as to that of buying pure bred an
imals to build up ones herd.
The selection of seed corn for next
years planting is now the most impor-
tant thing in all farming operations.
In no case should seed be used from
unmatured corn or from the fields that
were injured by the unfavorable wealth
er conditions of the past season. There
are few good, careful and reliable
seed corn growers and breeders in
this country who take infinite pains
i'll this matter of growing and select
ing seed, and, while they may ask
little higher price for their seed than
others, it will not take one very long
to determine that practically no rea-
sonable price is too high to pay for
we'll bred seed of the recognized stand
ard varieties.
The seed corn planted by many farm
ers throughout the corn belt has too
long been selected from run out, de-
generate varieties. In many instances
the same variety of corn, and that
without especial selection, has been
| grown on the same farm from ten to
fifteen years. The land has become
impoverished, and the seed has degen-
Grated until the yield has been reduced
| from fifty bushels to from twenty five
| to thirty bushels per acre.
We lay down the simple proposition
| that it costs no more to raise a big
crop of corn than it does a small crop.
The preparation of the land is the
same in both instances. The cultiva-
ton and other care of the crop are
the same in both instances. The field
| planted to we'll bred strong seed will
| yield in favorable season from six
ty to ninety bushels per acre, and
such yields are made by thousands
Of good corn growers in the western
states The corn grower who is Salts
| fed with planting wornout and de-
generated seed will be satisfied with a
| yield of twenty-five to thirty bushels
per acre. 1t does not take much figur-
ing to see where a crop of the latter
kind will land the planter, and it is not
very long road there.
We have urged this seed corn selec-
ton with great deal of stress dur
| ing the past year, for we are just at
the beginning of the seed corn growing
and seed corn breeding. and whenever
general corn raisers will fully appre-
ciate the enormous advantage that
there is in wise and careful selection
u buying of strong, vigorous seed right
then will they increase the yielding
value of their cornields. The slight
expense of the first cost in buying
good, reliable seed is but trifing as
compared with the ultimate results.
The general farmer perhaps has not
the time nor the inclination to raise
pure bred and carefully selected seed
any more than he has the time, inclina-
ton and means to raise his pure bred
breeding stock. He prefers to buy a
pure bred bull from some one who has
means and time and ability to raise the
best bred stock. Buy the best seed
corn obtainable and get it from relia-
bic seed corn growers who make a
business of growing and selling only
the best bred and the best recognized
varieties.-Prairie Farmer.