Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-02

Tests should be made BY comparing
sections and areas OF corn from diner
ent fields as to the yielding ability of
the various varieties, and then those
which have given the most satisfactory
results should be selected and pre-
served for seed and tried out on Sc
rfes OF test plats on the home grounds
Of the club members the next year
This will not involve much work nor
viii il take much time. yet II will give
= new thought and direction TO the en-
erEy OF those interested and the benen-
cial results which viii follow such a
plan are beyond question The studies
already suggested viii indicate the plan
10 be followed in the improvement OF
the corn crop. which must always be
based on field studies For instance.
some plants viii be found much more
resistant 10 disease than others some
viii have better covering OF foliage,
some will produce two ears OF desira-
bic tyre where Others produce one and
possibly three. but the tire emay not
possibly three. but the three may not
and therefore the two-eared type is the
better 10 select One should never
conclude that the only factor 20 be con-
sidered in selecting corn Is yield alone
Possibly the correlation OF many other
characteristics - quite as important as
that OF mere yield
After a careful examination of va
rious corn fields each boy and girl
should be encouraged 10 select from his
own plat or home plantation a few ears
q corn from plants possessing charac-
terfsfics deemed most desirable and pre-
serve these fo- study. Then compari-
sons can be made the next year OF the
efficiency OF the work done. and thus the
basis laid for study OF the simple yet
fundamental principles involved in the
selection OF improved seed There is no
place better adapted for the study OF
arithmetic than the corn field. hun
dred problems OF vital importance to
the everyday farmer may be developed
therein. and would give quite as much
training in percentage. division and sub
traction as can be secured In any other
way. and what boy or girl would not
rather study live and vital type of
arithmetic than be forced TO solve the
series OF abstract problems that have
no relation 10 their life interest and do
not familiarize them with the essential
matters with which they viii presently
be called on TO deal For instance. why
not calculate how many plants of corn
can be grown on an acre OF land IL the
hills are 3. IL or feet apart each way;
and how many would be planted IL the
rows are feet apart and the stalks is
inches in the drill row? In the field
actual counts" should be made TO de-
termine the percentage Of stand and the
effect OF this percentage Of stand on
yield. The weight OF ears from various
stalks should be determined and the
per cent OF corn TO cob ascertained; also
the amount OF slower produced by diff
ferent plants of different varieties in
proportion to grain If space permit
ted. hundred problems could easily be
suggested and every one OF them would
have = vital interest to the community
life in which the school or club makes
its Headquarters. and with the ascertain
ment Of the facts which this study
would reveal. there is no question as TO
the beneficial results which would be
exerted on the cultivation OF corn in
that community.
Then. there are other topics TO which
attention should be directed. For in
stance. there are the friends of the
corn field: what are they2 Who are
they How can we favor and protect
themg There are two great contending
agencies in nature. and each IS strug-
zlfnrl for existence: those that are
friendly TO the growth Of certain plants
and animals. and those that are un-
friendly. We can do much by q study
cut in the fields OF the various birds 10
Cerermluc tnOSe which are neipfut N ue-
stroytng insects and thus protecting the
crop. and with this knowledge firmly
fixed in the minds Of the boys and girls,
Il is needless TO say that the destruction
Of useful bird life would be greatly
Iessened-
Then. attention should be given TO the
machinery used in the handling and man
akement Nof the corn crop. There are
corn harvesters which may be imprac
teal on the small farm, but still they
form a link IN making Il possible for
the American farmer TO harvest a crop OF
100000 bushels Then. there is machin-
cry useful for the sorting. storing and
shipment OF corn All OF this constitutes
a part OF its history and OF the. romance
OF the nation as well. and should be