The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-11-10
His Subject Was MendeIPs
Law of inheritance, Point
ing Out Feature Applicable
To Agricultural Pursuits.
A SPIRITED DISCUSSION
FOLLOWED THE ADDRESS
Report on Conditions Showed
That There Is Little Corn in
The Cribs as Yet Fruit
Crop Has Been Light.

| MendelI's law of inheritance, as it
might be applied to agricultural pur-
suits, was the theme of the very inter
esting address which was delivered by
Prof. David w. Dennis of Earlham col
lege, before the members of the Wayne
County Horticultural society at it's
regular monthly meeting, held Satur-
day afternoon in the horticultural
rooms of the court house. Prof Den
mis- spoke particularly of the manner
in which the law might be applied to
growing corn and his entire address
was based along this line. The sub
ject of fruits was also considered.
| Prof. Dennis spoke of the law and it's
adaptability to agricultural products
in this way; he said, that this law of
Inheritance was the only one known
to us of variation. This law he con-
sidered showed that parental influence
! determined the character of the prog
eny; that any peculiarities would be
transmitted, either in the first or sub
sequent generations. This was par
acteristics that were of the most OBJ
jectionable kind-as he styled it, lex
ceptionally bad" Through this me-
dunn, the good qualities that are so
much desired, are transmitted with
the same exactness. To demonstrate
growing corn, the first of which grow
ing model ear of corn, another grow
/ ing a small, or ''nubbin," while the
third was earless. In speaking of the
good qualities of these stalks, he en-
deavored to show their causes. He
said corn that is selected, usually by
the farmers of the country is chosen
without a knowledge of it's ancestry
Grains on every ear are not only po-
lenized by the pollen from the tassel of
its own SILK, but that OF others in it's
proximity. In this way grains on the
same ear of corn not only have parent
age Of the desired grain, but that of
the stalks upon which no grain is
grown. BY this Professor Dennis &C
counted for the great loss in YIELD in
bushels on the average farm, from
small and inferior ears. He advocat-
ed the use of the knife in de-tasseling
earless stalks before the silks on the
ears have been polenized, which will
reduce to minimum, the chance of
growing seew that will produce ear
| less stalks. The question of saving
seed corn Is one that many farmers
differ upon, many advocating the Sc
lection of the choicest ears at gather
ing time. which can be placed in the
dry, and when thoroughly seasoned,
will withstand the severe cold and
freezes of the winter. The germs Of
the grains are SO often injured by the
early frosts and freezes, while the sap
in both the grain and ear have not
been sufficiently matured
ELECTED Much Discussion.
The remarks of Prof. Dennia elected
much discussion on the point pertain
ing to the cause of difference in the
yields of the present and former years
Many thought that the different
modes of cultivation figured largely in
the increased crops, while still others
maintained that the great increase in
the corn crops of the day was due
particularly to the advent of seed corn
from different localities. Prof Den
MIS- paper however. was considered
one of the most interesting and at the
same time instructive addresses that
has been heard before the society in
several months.
Capt. w. II. Lowe. Caleb King and
Isaac Dougan all of this city gave a
report on agricultural conditions at
this time which showed that but little
corn has been placed IN the cribs in
this section. The condition of wheat
and rye is very fine, and most encour-
| aging they say. Isaac Dougan claims
- have the banner field of wheat,
which was sown from seed originating
in Canada. 1t was sown on Septem-
Der. i and at present covers the
ground a perfect green sward
Nathan Garwood gave a short re-
port on the condition of Wayne coun-
ty fruits. The fruit growers he said
during the entire year had to be con
tented with a light crop. from the
strawberry to the apple. and that any
farmers have any apples they have
but enough for their own immediate
use.
w. F. Flatly residing north of Rich.
mond exhibited a giant Cushaw, that
was one of the largest ever seen in
} Richmond or vicinity. Seed from this