The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-10-17
seed CORN
IS IMPORTANT
Keynote to Successful Corn
Breeding.
Should Know Kind Of Stalk That
Produces Your Seed
Corn.

We are delighted to know that you
are interested in the breeding OF good
seed corn. Next to the better and
more thorough preparation of the
soil, the proper selection and produc-
ton Of seed corn is the work most
needed in the South. The variety
tests at the Experiment Stations
show that of twelve Of the leading
varieties of corn tested, the difference
between the highest and lowest yield
per acre on the same type of soil
with Identical fertilization and cul-
tivation was 15.2 blu. We fully believe
that the average yield of corn in the
South can be increased more than
twenty-five per cent by planting the
most prolific seed instead of seed
that has run out. Like produces
like"
II will probably be best for you to
buy the best seed from some reput-
able breeder in your section and then
learn the best scientific methods to
|
ing OF the best seed from some reput-
able breeder in your section will save
you several years OF labor and ex-
pense in breeding up the seed. How
ever. you can, by following instruc-
lions. rapidly breed up your own
corn.
First, select STALKS that bear the
cars at moderate height on the
stalks for the reasons that it is diff
ficul. to gather ears toohigh and the
stalk IS apt to be top-heavy and cas-
lily blown down by winds.
Second, select stalks Of medium
size. gradually tapering from base
to tassel.
Third, with large cared varities,
no stalks that have more than two
ears should be selected, and an effort
should be made to select some stalks
that have two ears and some that
have one.
| Fourth, the leaves should be broad
and strong. from twelve to sixteen
in number, and we'll distributed on
the stalk.
Fifth, the stalks should be well
anchored by numerous strong base
roots from one to two joints above
the ground to enable them to with
stand winds. Stalks free from suckers
should be selected as far as possible.
Sixth, detassel all weak stalks and
ears at all just before the silks be-
gin to show in good number. This
will prevent fertilization by inferior
stalks.
Seventh. the ear should be cylindri-
cal or nearly so. 1t should be full
and strong In the middle portion and
the circumference should be approx
mately three-Quarters OF its length.
The shuck should be heavy and we'll
extended over the end Of the ear and
closely gathered about the silk. The
shank that bears the ear should be
longe enough to permit the ear to
droop at maturity.
Eighth. from ten to thirty times
as many ears should be selected as
will be necessary to plant next years
crops.
Ninth, it Is best to pick seed corn
and store 1t before the first frost.
The seed ears should be placed where
they will be kept dry and where they
will be protected from damage by
weevils and rats.
Tenth. during the winter months
select the necessary number of the
best ears to plant In the spring. The
rows of kernels should be straight,
and not less than sixteen nor more
than twenty-five in number. The ear
should be from eight to ten and a
half inches long. The color of grain
should be true to variety. White
corn should have white cobs and yell
low corn red cobs. The tip should
NOT be too tApering. It should be well
covered with straight rows Of regu-
lar kernels Of uniform size and shape.
The rows, of kernsla should extend
[, in regular order over the butt end OF
the cob. leaving . depression where
the shank u removed. The tips OF
the kernels should be full and strong.
leaving no space between them near
the cob. The kernels should be about
,five-sixteenths of an inch wide by
five-eighths of an inch long. and
and about six TO the inch in the row.
II Is q good plan to have special