Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-11-23
The Iowa Corn Crop.


liar with the plan and work of the
scientific agriculturists who swung
around the circle last spring and gave
the famers of Iowa along the route
some valuable information as to the
selection and testing and planting OF
seed corn. Of course the travel was
of necessity along the railway lines.
Audience coaches were provided and
two lectures of thiIty minutes length
were given at each stop. The fact that
the corn crop of Iowa is worth fifteen
million dollars more than all other in
dustrial products put together is OF
sufficient Importance to warrant the
use of extraordinary means In bringing
about the highest developemnt of this
great industry. Prof. Holden in an
article in "The American Monthly
Review of Reviews" tells what and
how things were done. He says:
The remarkable success Of the corn
trains was due to the large number of
people it was possible to address in a
single day. The agriculture of Iowa
is in developing, or formative, stage
as yet, and practices are not crystal
lized. The farmers are largely recent
corners from older states, where they
had sold their high-priced land and
bought the lower priced land of Iowa.
Awake to the fact that the new condi-
tions call for new methods, they are
alert to every new idea that will in
crease the effectiveness of their labor.
Every member of the audience was
attentive and loyal to the speaker. in.
tent only on finding some new methods
that he could put into practice.
Many teachers attended the lectures.
and one of the far-reaching results
was that they had their pupils bring
them prepare the tests and carry the
results home to the parents thus giving
a practical "nature lesson" that ap-
piled directly and vitality to the inter
est closest to their daily lives.
There were charts showing the
stand of corn in 900 fields of Iowa
for 1908, bringing out the fact that the
average stand in the State was only 66
per cent of a perfect stand, and in some
cases it fell as low as 40 per cent.
This means that the State devoted
5000, 900 acres to corn and produced
only a 6, 900, 000-a crop; or, to put
it the other way, with perfect stand
the present average yield of S3 bushels
would be increased to so bushels per
acre, an increase of 1873, 900. 900 bushels.
This does not take into consideration
the increased yield possible through
the use OF improved varieties, better
bred seed. elimination of barren stalks
by means of breeding, better methods
of cultivation, and SO forth.
There we've charts showing the ger
tests of over 1900 samples OF
seed corn received from all parts OF
the State, charts showing the wide
variation IN yield of the different
varieties of corn grown side by side
under exactly the same conditions, in
dicating that many farmers are grow
ing varieties which do not give them
the best returns for their labor. There
were charts showing the dangers OF
seed corn from a distance,
large photographs illustrating good
and bad forms of ears and kernels. and
many speciens of corn showing desir-
able and undesirable types.
The points emphasized in the lee
lures we're:
/. The low average Of 33 bushels
per acre over the State, when many
farmers were producing an average of
60 to 70 bushels per acre.
2. The poor stand, due to poor seed.
uneven dropping of seed by planter,
and poor preparation of the seed-bed.
3. Planting unsuitable varieties,
and also corn which has deteriorated
under unfavorable conditions.
4. What the farmer himself can 90
toward improving his corn by selec-
tion and breeding.
5. The importance of testing and
grading his seed early in tho season,
for when the rush Of spring work is
upon him it will be neglected.
It is safe to say that of every 100
ears of corn planted in Iowa from 20
to 80 will not grow, or will show very
low vitality and if they grow at all
will produce weak plants. which will
only rob better plants of light. mois-
ture, and nourishment. and produce
little or nothing of value. These ears
should be rejected. and only those that
show strong vitality should be planted.