Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-03-15
SS2aSNSs22

imperfectly developed germ will de-
crease the yield of corn under normal
conditions, and ears bearing kernels
Of weak vitality should be discarded.
The size of the kernel is also largely
responsible for the character of the
stalk produced. Naturally those kerr
nels that have a large food supply
would be expected to produce the
largest plants although this statement
cannot be made without qualifications.
There are many conditions of soil,
season, and variety that must be con-
sidered. Evidently plump kernel is
more important, than a large kernel.
Reference to the results of the ex-
pertinent above referred to shows that
with two trials each covering fourteen
days growth, the height of the stalks
from the heavy kernels was three
inches greater than for small kernels
and the weight of green matter was
approximately 80 per cent more
Variety and adaptation are of much
greater Importance than size of ker-
nels, however, for it is well known
fact that Reid's yellow Dent with its
small kernels is one of the best yield
ing varieties known, especially for the
upland soils, while the large-grained
varieties of coarse character rarely
equal it.
The shape Of the kernel is of inn
portance in its influence on the size
of cob and the character of germ A
long kernel is almost Invariably
sharp pointed kernel with contracted
germ and such kernel is rarly
strong in vitality Experiments with
long, short, and medium length ker-
nels Of the same variety showed for
the long kernels a growth of 45.47
grams green matter with seven under
sized plants, and for the medium
length OF kernel 65.6 grams green mat
ter and three understood stalks The
results point plainly to the superiority
of the medium lengths of kernels for
producing thrifty early growth of
plants
The character of the indentation on
an ear has been held to be ofconsider-
able value in determining it's pro-
ductive capacity. 1t is well known
that the rougher ears are later in
maturing and he supcrfiuous seed
coat which in wrinkling causes the
roughened indentation has been taken
as an indication that the ear had
greater capacity for filling out than
the soil or season allowed. Such an
assumption is largely theory, however,
and so far as l am aware there is no
experimental data available which
deals with the matter. In our own
breeding blocks this year the smooth
er ears yielded appreciably higher
than the rougher ones, but the season
was very dry about the time the corn
was caring, and it is probable that
rows from the smoother ears, being
Slightly earlier. were not so badly in
jured by the drouth A medium rough
variety is usually a heavier yielder
than smooth variety especially on the
richer soils, although a very rough ear
has tendency TO be high in starch
and low in protein. High protein ker-
nels make more thrifty young stalks
than the starchy kernels, and consid-
ering the higher feeding value are
usually to be preferred. Considering
both yield and quality, however,
slightly roughened ear is better than
a smooth one although the degree of
roughness allowable will be deter
mined largely by soil and variety.
M. f. MILLER.
Missouri Agricultural College.