Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-01
FRO DAMAGES o

Corn is very easily frosted, both in
the spring and fall. Any variety of
l:cprn that we have tried, Thai is large
enough to be of value for silage, re-
'.sQvllrees nearly 100 days to fully ma
Sftt0tAs. The average date OF the last
SktiliIfES frost in spring varies about as
much as the date Of the drst. killing
as to locality, protection, etc. At
Grand Forks, North Dakota. the
frost-free period is about 100 days.
This is sufficient time to mature rela-
lively large corn, but as the mean
temperature for this period is much
lower than further south. varieties of
corn that are not acclimated mature
very slowly. 1.gS
We frequently have a killing frost
after the date Of planting, May 10th
Ito goth, but we find that while frosts
may retard the corn OF set it back,
we have never known of the stand be-
ing greatly damaged by frosts in
spring. Our observation is that there
from frost because of late planting,
than there is in spring from early
planting.
/, The feeding value of corn frosted
lin the fail because 1t Is practically
mature, is materially lessened; the
stalks soon dry and crumple down.
which is not the case if more nature.
The dry matter and feeding value
must be relatively the same up to
near maturity, and it is easily deter
mined that the dry matter increases
very rapidly as maturity is approach
cd. On this account it is important
that corn be SO handled as to reach
maturity. Or cry near this stage. be-
fore killing frost comes.
Varieties of Corn.
After having collected and grown
all the varieties of corn that are sup
posed to be adapted to this region,
J we reached the conclusion that there
is only one way to ecu satisfactory
seed corn, Inc that is to grow it. or
buy it from a neighbor who does.
Getting a variety acclimated. or ad-
apted to a locality. can be done only
by growing it in that locality for a
'riety is grown and selected for de-
sirable characteristics or qualities,
the more valuable the variety be-
comes. We secured from Northwest
ern Dent corr that had been grown
and selected in western North Dakota
for a number of years. This seed
was planted alongside some North
western Dem grown further south.
One grew about S feet high, the ears
were near the ground and fully ma
tured before FROST. The other grew
s to 10 feet high, the ears were way
up from the ground and it was only
in roasting ear when frosted. They
were planted the same day on the
same land, and cultivated the same
way.
While they were both Northwestern
Dent. they were no more alike thar
Jersey and Holstein cattle. Variety
land name mean nothing. Being
grown and selected in a locality until
maturity and other qualities are satis-
factory, is the only test of a variety
J Instead of asking for seed corn by
name, we should ask if it has beer
grown and matured in this locality
for a number of years, and if it has
qualities desired. Does it grow large
enough to produce a satisfactory yielo
of feed; are the ears, up from the
ground so thai it a be cut with corr
harvester without losing a lot of tilrse
does it mature so that seed can be
saved in average years?
f. Some of the small flints mature
every year. They can be hogged off
but are not satisfactory for the silo
The large fints, like Smutnose, make
splendid fodder and silage, but do not