The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-18
SEED and SOIL.
PROF. BARROW OF CLEMSON
DELIVERS VALUABLE AID
DRESS.
Selection Of Seed and tho Applica-
ton OF Proper Fertilizers and
Proper Treatment of Soil Bring
Profit to Farmers.

Prof. Barrow, Of Clemson College,
who conducted an Institute for far
mers in the Court House Wednesday,
remained in the city Thursday to
deliver an address on the subject of
soil fertility The public gecrally was
invited, but the invitation was ex-
tended especially to the farmers of
the county who attended in only fair
numbers.
Professor Barrow confined his re-
marks practically to two subjects. the
selection of seed and soil fertility. In
speaking Of the former he said that
for hundreds of years 1t has been
recognized in animals that blood will
tell. but that men have not been
mindful Of the fact that the same
rule holds good in plant life. The
same laws Of nature apply alike to
plant and animal life. In selecting
foundation COW for a herd, the finest
possible specimen is purchased, the
selection being made not only with
regard IN the qualities of the COW
purchased. but usually with a full
knowledge. Take corn for instance;
the selection of seed Is often made
from the corn after 1t has been
placed in the crib, without any
knowledge of the pedigree Of the
seed. The only way to make the Sc
lection Is in the field, where observa-
ton will tell what the ancestors have
done. Much can be accomplished by
the selection of seed. Wherever stalks
can be found without slking, cut the
tassel Off. so that no barren pollin
can injure seed for next year. To
get the best seed. select an individ-
ual stalk, one with good root devel-
from the ground. BY one years Sc
lection in this way, an increased pro-
duction Of bushels per acre can be
had.
1t Is important that each farmer
should select his own seed. We know
that IL we move to some distant State
that we have to become acclimated.
The same laws hold good with plants
A sample Of corn was once taken
from Iowa. and introduced into Vir-
ginia. 1t was planted by itself with
no chance of mixing. The yield was
fine, being so bushels to the acre,
wonderful increase over the former
yield; but when the corn was gath
cred. it looked as If the seed had
been taken from the four corners of
the earth. 1t was adjusting itself to
the conditions of soil and climate
Fertilization, care and selection of
seed taken together constitute the
reason of big yields. The farmer
must select his seed and continue
that selection.
In the recent State contest the
winners of the prizes were almost to
a man the ones who had been breed
ms their seed for q number OF years.
Now. the question arises as to
what constitutes the best ear of corn.
There is no fixed size, it should be as
near cylindrical as possible, one that
can carry as many grains of corn as
possible. one that will give mini
mum amount OF cob to a maximum
| amount of grain. The rows should
be straight. a sign of good business.
| and is evidence of good healthyJ
thrifty growth. The grain should
start as near the butt as possible and
run entirely over the tip. There IS
no fixed rule as to size and length.
When the cob is too small there is not
| enough grain, and where the cob Is
too large the proportion Of grain is
too small. and the grains are. also.
short. Take an ear of corn and break
1t near the butt. the cob should con-
| stitute one-half the total diameter of
the cob. The cob must be filled, no
Wn-'" space retWo"u ROSS. and as
rn1ch G'.in ns cob oon carr in order
I