Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-01-07
DR.. Twitchell Urges More Corn.

At the recent farmers Institutes In
New Hampshire, DR.. G. NJ. Twitchell,
who for years has been experimenting
with fruit corn, developing q new varie-
ty and increasing yield, has been discus
sing some of the fresh lessons from the
cornfield.
1.-THE average corn crop of New Eng
land is placed at 40 bushels per acre.
New Hampshire falls slightly below"
said DR.. Twitchell, "yet 1t is simple
proposition to grow one hundred bushels
of shelled corn per acre. The corn con.
tests and the corn shows OF the past few
years attest the truth of this statement.
Why is tho average SO lowP What can
be done to raise It? Solve these two
vital problems and fresh impetus will be
given the agricultural sentiment OF the
state. That impetus is necessary for the
stability and security Of your cities and
towns, as well "a hOmes, and that in
crease for the developing of the more
aggressive agricultural sentiment neces-
sary for the carrying forward of farm
work. We must increase yield, adapt
put more food value into tue silo aud
kernel and measure crop from crib dry
standpoint for ripened grain and food
value Of ensilsge.
"Yield will be increased as We give
better attention to the preparation OF
the acres. The plow must run deeper,
the burrows made straighter. A straight
furrow alone allows for turning the soil
at the right angle SO that uniform work
can be done In narrowing. Never fear
about too much narrowing. Cultivation
is fertilization. Therefore work the
harrow until every ounce Of soil Is made
light and friable. Never 90 far from
home for seed. Improve what you have
and find greatly increased interest in
mastery. The reflex influence of good
work tells nightly for agricultural ad-
vancement.
mark the strongest, most vigorous
stalks in the field when eight inches
high and follow through the season.
Break the suckers from all these that the
ear may get all the vigor Of the stalk.
Select ears at uniform distance from the
ground to insure even ripening. Avoid
extremes because of tendency to shorten
time of ripening on one hand and to re-
duce the size or length and thus prevent
maturity.
"Look sharply after length and shape
of cob and less to cylindrical and fully
tipped kernels. We must increase num-
Der of kernels or cob, but with this there
must 90 the form most likely to insure
greatest food value. A straight cob, not
too large at butt or tapering too small at
tin, completely covered with straight
rows of kernels, every one deep, broad,
fairly we'll rounded, wide and square at
the base, filling all the space on the cob,
must be the standard, uniform size
throughout being sought. II this means
44O kernels to cob, never mind If the
tip protrudes an inch beyond the last
kernel. The standard of utility must be
the one studied by the grower.
"At the last cultivation apply broad
cast between the rows 800 pounds OF
good corn fertilizer and work it into the
soil lightly. 1t will push the crop to q
finish. Never mind about two ears to .
stalk. The first thing to do Is to get
one. When we reach that level all
records will be broken. 1t is the skips
from immature, imperfect or non-accli.
mated seed which materially reduced
WELD and this is backed by weak and
non-bearing stalks. 1t will pay any man
who Ia growing corn to mature the kerr
mel, to 90 over his field before the tassels
begin to shed pollen and detassel every
weak or non bearing stalk. Looking for
steady increase In yield and improve
ment in feeding value, We cannot allow
our ears to be fertilized by pollen from
non-pro6ds.iva stalks.
"New England flint c"rn averages 100
protein, but seed which has been select.
ed BY some fixed system, for a series OF
years, will yield II to Is per cent. Here
10 the value OF the corn crop aud to In
crease protein is prime essential.
"If we are growing for the silo, the
larger stalk is wanted, with an ear just
ready to glaze, but more attention may
well be directed to the shape, size and
number of the leaves. Size and length
of stalk do not insure greatest value in
the silo aud this alone must be sought.
"New England can we'll produce its
corn for feeding and, seeking improve
ment of the varieties now upon the farm,
the path upward Is we'll defined and
straight, and, as one climbs, greater
pros perity will attend his efforts.
"If We believe in New England, let US
unite to prove faith by honest efforts to
usher in the day when the cry of the soil
will be heard by the boys as challenge
to noble endeavor and promise OF sub
stantial returns"