Evening journal., 1905-06-17
SWEET CORN NOVELTY
How Iowa Man Found Worlds
Most Delicious Ear.
THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT

United states Government Has Been
Experimenting For Years 20 Pro-
duce This variety-It Ripens In
Fifty-seven Days and Is Ivory
white In Color.
What might be called "The Romance
Of an Ear Of Corn" is the story OF the
discovery OF the earliest and most de-
licious sweet corn IN the whole world,
says a special dispatch from Wash
ington to the Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune. Iowa has the credit OF this
notable discovery. and S. A. Howe Of
Fort Dodge is the Christopher Colum-
bus Of this new world in agriculture.
A part Of the original ear from which
the white Mexican corn has been pro
pagated is still in the possession Of a
Sioux City nursery, which has brought
the marvellous corn TO the point Of per-
fection which has won the unrestrain-
ed approval Of the United States gov
ernment. But a few months ago Secre-
tary Of Agriculture Wilson sent Pro
fessor Tracy, one OF the experts Of the
department. to Sioux City to investi-
gate the claims made for the white
Mexican. He was convinced.
'',rhe government has been expert
menting for a score Of years." said he,
"to produce a corn Of this character
early, yet really sweet have no
hesitation in pronouncing this the
greatest discovery made in sweet corn
culture in twenty-five years.
Professor Tracy backed his enthusi-
astic approval Of the corn by ordering
400 bushels for use at government ex-
pertinent stations and for distribution.
A seed expert Of a big firm has trav-
eled to Sioux City to examine into the
virtues Of the white Mexican. One
thousand bushels was the order he left.
For many years the black Mexican
has been known as the earliest sweet
corn. Toothsome enough to the blind,
the black kernels were dlstasteful to
the seeing. 1t was a race problem In
agriculture which has had as many
suggested solutions as the vexed puz-
/ zle in the higher animal world. The
black Mexican would be ready for the
table In eighty days from planting. full
! ly ten days ahead Of the evergreen,
which IS white.
Not long ago S. A. Howe OF Fort
Dodge was passing through his field
/ OF black Mexican corn and noticed an
ear which seemed unusual, probably
blighted. IL was on the same stalk
/ that held a normal ear. Mr.. Howe was
about to pluck the abnormal ear when
his eye was caught by the white ker-
nels peeping out. What If the ear were
healthy and white at the same timer
such luck was hardly to be expected.
but it was worth hoping for.
so the white ear was watched solicit
tously. When ripe It realized Mr..
| IIowe's fondest dreams. 1t was white
and perfect. A Sioux City seed special
ist was called into consultation upon
this gratifying discovery. He was
elated and begged half the ear.
One-h0lf OF his share was sent TO II.
B. Smith, reliable and prosperous
farmer near Odebolt, Ia, with in
structions to plant the seed and to
cultivate II carefully.
Wonder OF wondersl In iifty-eeven
days from planting this new sweet
corn was ready for the table Farmer
Smith had a mess Of It, and William
Sampson. a merchant at Odebolt, dined
on it also. Both pronounced It incom-
parably better than any they had be
fore eaten.
From that sport" IN the field Of Mr..
Howe has now come forth an acknowl-
edged type which is causing no less
than furore in seed producing quar-
ters.
The white Mexican is small Of stalk
about three and one-half feet-and
small Of ear. The latter makes II
nicer to serve on the table. Its color
is ivory white, and, best OF all. It IS
delightfully."- sweet 1t is hardy and
prolific. from two TO four full ears
growing on a single stalk.