The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1921-12-23
Agriculture
Corn Continued.)
Selecting the Seed Ears
(By ]. f. C'Brien)

When the corn is thoroughly ripe
the seed for the next crop should be
selected in the field. If we have
some particular ideal in mind, now
is the time to work upon it. Some
growers prefer a large one cared corn
nevertheless, the high Yields of 100
to 100 bushels per acre are almost
entirely from corr win more thar
one ear to a stalk. 1t will have &c
be a migl ty good ear that will equal
. or 8 medium sized ones, but when
it comes to five well formed ears of
IL rowed orn OF a single stalk then
there is no comparison. Corn breed
ing is the work of specialists and
should be left to them to do, but any
intelligent boy can greatly improve
the corn on his own farm by follow
ing a few simple rules in selecting
seed for the next crop. There is a
marvellous future before the boy
farmer now, because when the battle
ships are scrapped, and populations
keep on increasing, all eyes will be
turned towards the farmer who sup
plies the food. Ten years ago it was
thought impossible to raise 100
bushels of corn per acre, last year
many boys in the states, enrolled in
the Boys Corn Clubs, passed the 120
bushel mark, and one grower in San
ia Rosa California raised over 300
bushels per acre, 80 percent of the
corn had from 8 to IL ear per stalk
averaging slightly less than one half
pound per ear. The method of in
creasing the number of ears is simple
If you are now growing a one cared
corn which seems to suit your local
ity you may find a few stalks in the
field that have two or more ears, then
take the top ear for seed. Next year
from the progeny of this seed you
may find a few stalks with 8 or more
ears, then take the top ear and so on.
After all the top ears have been
gathered a careful selection is made
from among them. At first you may
not have much choice but later, when
you find a great number of stalks
with 3 or more ears, it will help to
know what a good seed a should be.
Here are 10 chief points for a good
seed ear. (1) 1t should have no space
at cob. (2) Cob should be a dark red
on yellow corn or white on white
corn. (3) Kernel should be deep,
keystone, or wedge shaped. (4) Cob
should be medium. (5) Kernels
should be lemon yellow. (6) Rows
should be regular and a medium num-
Der of grains, from IS to % is most
desirable. CD Kernels should all be
of the same shade. 90 Tips should
have regular rows, deep kernels, no
exposure, and butts should have regu-
lar rows, small to medium shank and
rounded. (9) Bars should be cylindri-
cal or butt slightly tapered in shape.
(1O) Ripe, dry, and free from dis
ease and injury.
Insects and Diseases
The common insect pests of corn
in Hawaii are army worms, cut
worms, aphides, ~leafhoppers, sucking
insects and weevils. Arsenic and
black leaf $40" are about the best
remedies to have on hand. For the
stored corn, carbon bisulphid is the
only remedy, although slaked lime
will help if the store house is not air
tight, which it must be to use the
carbon bisulphide. Corn smut is the
most common disease and appears in
black powdery spores on any part Of
the plant. To remedy, gather the
spores and burn them or place in boil
ing water. Barren stalks should be
pulled as soon as discovered and be-
fore the pollen flies.