The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-11-20
LECTURES
Before The Agricultural Ex-
tension School
On Corn Culture, Poultry
Husbandry
Poultry Feeding And Judging
Of Cattle

Howard, o., Nov. v.1S--The following is
a summary of the lectures delivered
today at the Agricultural Extension
School:
CORN CULTURE
For good many years our expert
ment stations have been selecting seed
corn in various ways with the idea in
mind of seeig how much the corn
plant and the grain could be changed
fby this method. 1t can be readily
shown that kernels Of corn will vary in
amount of protein which they will con-
tain according to the proportion of
horny starch and likewise the amount
of fat in the kernel varies with the size
of the germ. BY certain selections it
has been possible to raise or lower the
amount of protein or fat an apprecia-
BILE amount. 1t has also been possible
to control to a certain extent the
height of the ear on the stalk
These illustrations were given by
w. j. Hendrick at the Extension
School, Wednesday morning not be-
cause the farmer is going to select
corn for the purpose of increasing the
fat or protein but because they sug-
gest the idea that if it is possible to
influence certain characters by selec-
ton it is possible to influence others
as well. 1t seems that by going into
the field and selecting corn that had
grown in hill which contained three
stalks and each stalk bearing one ear
that the tendency of that stalk to bear
an ear even under unfavorable condi-
tiOns would be inherited by the crop
from the ear the following year. In
the same way other desirable charac.
ters might be perpetuated and undesir-
able ones eliminated 10 certain ex-
| tent.
The total yield of corn is determined
quite largely by the number of ears
which are produced on an acre. Large
size is not necessary for large yields.
Were the hills to be planted at the or
dinary distance and each hill to have
three stalks each bearing an eight
ounce ear the yield would be much
larger than the average. So a good
stand is of prime importance in secur-
ing large yield. After selecting the
corn in the before freezing weather
land then keep it in well ventilated
place throughout the winter if the best
termination is to be secured when the
corn is planted. Without good germ
ination good stand is impossible.
Poultry Husbandry
There are two fundamental elements
involved in every successful venture in
poultry husbandry These are good
stock and proper management. All
good stock is the result of proper breed
ing OF the many factors involved in
the breeding Of poultry, the ability to
know a good bird should be placed
first. Without this ability no one can
expect success of high degree. An
experienced poultryman can recognize
instantly, easily, and fully the individ-
ual differences among fowls. He will
recognize good form, size, color, or
type for the particular breed in ques-
tion. He will form a Judgment as to
the bodily condition and state of health
of the individual birds.
A Judge must also be able to distin-
guish the good from the bad qualities
of bird. The fundamental character
of good bird, is sound constitution
poultry breeder should select for his
breeding pens only birds with the
highest constitutional vigor; that is,
birds that are in perfect health and
have clean well kept plumage. Such
birds have broad and relatively short
heads, and bright combs and wattles
that present healthy vigorous ap-
pearance.
Another factor essential to success
full poultry breeding is that all charac-
ters should be intensified as much as
possible. This is obtained by inbreed-
ing or line-breeding to certain ex-
tent. If the birds mated are strong and
vigorous, inbreeding will only intensi-
fy these qualities in the offspring
Therefore the safest and wisest plan
for the average poultryman TO follow
is to make matings without any
thought whatever of the relation to one
another of the birds mated.
Poultry Feeding
Poultry feeding is one of the most i'm
portant phases Of poultry keeping, but
it is not the whole thing in making
hens lay. Most farmers 90 not realize
the importance Of good feeding; 9TH
/ er, place the whole responsibility up
OIL the food and feeding. To have hens
lay Well they must be properly housed
and receive the correct quantity OF