The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-10-22

TINE average production of corn to tho
acre for the entire United States Is but
twenty-siX bushels. yet In practically
every section four times that quantity Is fire.
quently produced. Improvement OF the quail
ity of seed is the least expensive method OF
Increasing the Yield per aero.
There is each spring scarcity OF good
seed corn. This condition is all tho moro
rogrettablc because II need not exist and II
IS much serious than commonly sup
posed because many do not fully realize the
tremendous loss to themselves and to tho
country duo to planting inferior seed. A full
stand OF plants may be obtained from In
ferior s. ID. but the yield VIII not be tho best
possible.
The loss Is due 10 delay or negligence.
1t can be prevented by the selection of seed
corn in the autumn. II good seed corn could
he manufactured in a few weeks time many
factories would be working day and night
from March till June Each spring the writer
regrets the unfortunate position of many
thousands who too late inform the United
States Department OF Agriculture OF their
Willingness to pay good prices for seed corn
and OF their inability TO obtain It
Autumn is the time TO prepare for
profitable corn crop the following season. IL
is hoped that this bulletin will prove moro
valuable and timely than any replies that
be written to springtimo correspondents
regarding seed corn. Its object IS to prevent
the scarcity each spring OF iirst-class seed
corn. This scarcity can be prevented by Sc
lecting the seed when 1t is most abundant
md when the very best can be obtained-at
ripening time before 1t has been IN any way
reduced In vitality. Many let this oppor-
tunity pass. expecting to purchase their seed
corn. only to find that they cannot buy at
any price in the winter spring as good
seed they could have selected In the au-
tunn.
Until n community has its experienced
honest bo boS pIo for
the former to obtain seed corn is from fields
on his farm or I'm his neiGhborhood that were
planted with variety that has generally
proved most successful in that locality,
Wcll-conductcd corn breeding requires
special methods that general farmers have
not time to apply. II there is in your locality
Il corn breeder who each year demonstrates
the superiority of his corn. you should pay
him well for his superior seed. Five dollars
a bushcl Will be a profitable bargain for both
parties, Such corn breeders arc improving
corn ns cattle breeders have improved cattle,
The general farmer is a propagator rather
than breeder OF corn, He profits by tho
careful work OF the breeder by adopting tho
higher yielding strains and propagatng them
By far too many persons consider seed
good simply because 1t Will grow. To be
first class seed must be
l. Well adapted to the seasonal and soil
conditions where 1t Is TO be planted.
2. Crown on productive plants OF a pro-
ductIve variety.
3. Well matured and preserved from ripcn-
ing tlmc till planting time in a manner that
will retain its full vlgor
The Importance OF tho three requirements
Just enumerated has been demonstrated cx-
permcntally by the Office OF corn investiga-
tions of the bureau of plant industry. Tho
results. given briefly as enumerated, are as
follows: