The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-23

spring. says Superintendent Helen J.
P~rindeville n her assistants, in the
annual corn contest.
The rules n instructions for par
Elephants in the contest are being
mailed out at the present time. They
are as follows:
Selection Of the Plot.
The ground selected for this pur.
pose should be we'll drained vet not
too light nor sandy. A rather light
Silt loan is ideal for corn. A south
slope is preferable if it can be secur-
cd because the rays of the. sun fall
more nearly vertical on such ground
n hence the soil is warmer than it
would be otherwise. If this choice
soil with the south slope can be Sc
cured with timber protection at the
north and west SO much the better,
for then one has a combination of all
the best conditions.
If the ground has been we'll plow-
ed the previous fall it may be pre-
pared now by discing or by a very
thorough narrowing. or it may be
spring plowed. Supply plant food by
giving a medium dressing of well rot
ted manure Too heavy manuring
sometimes causes too great a growth
of stalks to the neglect OF the ears.
1t is safer to use old n as green
manure holds the soil open and may
cause the crop to suffer in case Of
drouth. The ground must be per-
fectly clean and in good filth by
planting time.
Seed Is Furnished.
The seed is furnished to superin-
tcndents by the agricultural college.
1t is not grown upon the college farm
but is obtained from some of the most
careful corn breeders of North Da-
inf. md NTtrr1cn Hive Iffn~Nrt
varieties are being used this ear
Wills Dakota, an early white flint,
very similar to Gehu used heretofore,
will be supplied to northern counties.
Triumph will be furnished. those
wishing Il large flint. Northwestern
dent and Minnesota No. 10 will be
placed in the hands of contestants in
the southern counties, while q new
variety known AS Minnesota No. %
medium sized white capped yellow
dent. 1t has been grown with good
success in central Minnesota during
the past few years.
In no case plant later than May
10 with the possible exception of
Willis Dakota flint in the extreme
northern part Of the state. Plant
onc-half feet apart each way. Cover
the seed to a depth Of about two
inches.
Before the corn is large enough to
receive interchange it should be har-
rowed several times with "A light har-
row. If the plot is too small to be
narrowed conveniently the work may
he done with a garden rake. AS soon
as the hills can be seen plainly COM
mence regular horse cultivation. Go
over the plot about once a week.
Keep the hills clean by hoeing or
pulling the weeds. Cultivation should
be shallow rather than deep in order
that h corn roots may not be dis
turbed and that a nice dust mulch or
blanket may be made to prevent
evaporation.
When the ears have fully ripened
or after killing frosts have come. say
about the 18th of October, the ears
should be husked out and placed in
a dry, we'll ventilated mouse proof
building to cure. Never allow your
show corn to become mouldy or dis
colored.
Selection Of the Exhibit.
In selecting the ten ears for exhibit
the points on the score card should
be carefully noted. The largest ears
are not necessarily the best ears. A
very large ear of corn like a very
large animal is quite likely to be
coarse and lacking in quality. The
ears selected above all should be ripe
and sound. Take the car OF corn in
the hand and attempt to move the
kernels back and forth with the ball
of the thumb. If they move freely
the corn is not ripe. If they are firm
and resist. pressure the ear Is mature.
The butts and tips should be we'll fill.
ed. a butt that is too large. or that
is not we'll covered with kernels or
that a too large shank Is alwayl
objectionable. AS a shape and well
filled tips come in for large considera-
ton in judging corn. great care
should be exercised in selecting earl
with we'll filled tips. The rows should
be straight and close together. Never
select an a with a wide. deep fur.
row between the owe. The earl
should be uniform in size. color
shape and general type. Uniformity
counts for much in an exhibit. &C
much indeed that one exhibit possess.
ing this quality may be given a place
over another Of better individual
ears. Do not put in mixed ears. II
you have yellow corn n the judge
should find white kernels in 1t he will
surely score your exhibit down or
this account.
After the ten ears have been &c.
lected be sure they receive the bes,
of care. They must be kept perfectly
dry. clean. n free from mice. BE
very careful in handling them not Il
shell out any of the kernels. A sin.
gle missing kernel may be the cause
Of missing an award. DO not til
strings around the ears as the strings