The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-14
Corn Grower Fine Products
 Are Recognized
PRIZES DISTRIBUTED TO, SUC- CESSFUL FARMERS BY STATE
 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED IN THIS FEATURE OF MIDWINTER
 MEETING IN THIS CITY.

growers for the best exhibits occu- pied considerable attention of the Connecticut Board of Agriculture's session yesterday. The superb speci- mems of corn, embracing wide vari- ety and many really wonderful exhi- bits, was one of the most notable fea- lures of the midwinter sesison, and the distribution of prizes was await ed with keen interest.
 During the morning Prof. l.. A. Clinton of the Connecticut Agricul- tural college passed upon the corn which had been entered in competi- tion for prizes ranging from $5 to $2, and awarded the premiums. first prize in each class being $5, second $3, and third prize $2.
 In class A, dent corn, the prizes were awarded as follows: Best 10 ears, early yellow, Walter Yale, Meri- den, first; best 10 ears, late yellow, Alfred Rooke, Meriden, first; Fred drew L. Wakeman, Fairfield, third l; best 10 ears, early, other than vel low, Poplar Hills farm, Wallingford, first; best 10 ears at, other than yell low, Burton W. Bishop, Guilford, first.
 Class B, flint corn: Best early vel Barrett, North Woodstock, second; c. H. Killian, East Woodstock, third; late yellow Charles schwab, Yalesuille. first; cary other than yellow. no en- try; late, other than yellow, Henry O. Schwab, Yalesville, first.
 Class C-Best 10 ears, early sweet corn, G. W. Clark and Sons, Milford, first and second.
 Class D-Late sweet corn, G. W. Clark and Sons of Milford, first and third; F. B. Blakeman, Oronoque, second.
 Class E-Popcorn, Ernest and Mer- ritt Healey, North Woodstock, first; Henry o. Preston, Putnam, second; !; C. H. Killian, North Woodstock,
 Best single ear of dent corn. Alfred Rooke, Meriden, first; George D. Hall. Hest Ens9ao esr of fint see1 eorn charIes scswaS, Ya1esville, first; Walter Yale, Meri- den, second; L. H. Healey, Jr., North Woodstock, third. Prize $2.5o.
 Boys Contest.
 In the Boys club corn raising con- test first prize is awarded to John Toth. Jr.. of Wallingford. with test the awards were Andrew Schwab, Yalesville, first; John W. Rice, Bea- con Falls, second; Leroy $. Mellor, South Kent, third.
 The opening address of the after "A. ton of the Connecticut Agricultural college, upon corn production from the standpoint of the farmer and he accompanied his talk with practical exhibits. In commencing he referred tc some of the ears of corn which ing one of them he explained why 1t could not be given the first prizes, although the ear rFswas large looked we'll filled out, and to the uninitiated a perfect ear of corn. But he pointed out that it had not matured, that it was not fully ripe, that some of the moisture had been retained, and that probably if submitted to a germina- ton test 1t would be found that the germ had perished. Consequently it was not entitled to first prize. This ear he contrasted with another ear, the first prize winner by the way, and showed that while the second ear was smaller, it was perfectly. matured, dry, and in excellent condition, and would undoubtedly make good seed corn.
 Testing Seed.
 Tn this connection he spoke of the germination test and asked how many of the members present conducted such tests. About a dozen responded that they did so. He then went on to explain how he made his tests, taking five grains from an ear, and in a box about IS inches square making tests of 96 ears of corn, the box be- ing divided into compartments so that the tests for each ear could be tab- ulated, and the record kept upon the ear. About 100 ears of corn will plant two acres. He pulled one of the plants which he had in the box and showed how the roots had grown. and explained the method of conduct iEg the test.
 This test by ears and keeping the record he thought of great importance as good seed is one of the necessities of raising good corn. He said most farmers buy their seeds anywhere way they do not get a fair test for each ear of corn. He advised the pur- chase of local seed as it is more likely to be adapted to the local conditions and said that seed raised in Kentucky while good, may not produce good re- suts in Connecticut.
 Cultivation Hurts?
 Prof. Clinton then went into the entire subject of corn raising, the planting, the time to plant, advising early planting when possible, the depth, the kinds of corn to plant fo1 special purposes, the cultivation, and surprised some of his auditors by harm than good. This occurs wher it is done too late and the roots of the corn are cut. He said all cultivation should be done as early as possible after the planting of the corn, should not be too deep, and when the plant reaches 8 point that the leaves shade the ground should cease.
 The question of fertilizers was also touched upon, and he recommmended that a complete fertilizer be used even if necessary to purcahse com mercial fertilizers. He was obliged to answer many questions at the close of his address.
 Demonstrates Talk.
 Miss Mary Yates again spoke in the afternoon giving a demonstration ol how to kill, pluck, and perpare 3 chicken for market, explaining tho process as she proceeded with the work. It was a very interesting demonstration and showed that she thoroughly understands that branch of the business. While this may seem somewhat gruesome exhibition to the uninitated as carried out by Miss Yates there was not a single dis agreeable feature. No blood wa: spilled, the bird being killed by dis locating the neck with a turn of the wrist, and then the feathers stripped from it in scientific and at the same time rapid manner. The shaping oI the bird, the tying, and preparing fol market followed.
 Miss Yates explained that the bird dies almost instantly and that any futtering is due to reflex action of the muscles. She showed that by keeping the head of the bird down the blood 1h fhr vv@f~ rvt4 ice