Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-03-09

There are three very important
factors to be borne in mind by the
Montgomery County farmers in
growing the corn crop.
First, choose a variety Of corn
adapted to soil condition and plant
ing season. Second, secure seed
from well matured ears that are
free from mould, and third, an ade-
quate quantity of balanced plant
food.
In choosing the variety of corn
to be grown on any farm primary
consideration should be given to
time of planting which determines
the length of the growing season.
The highest yielding varieties are
characterized by a medium sized cob
carrying a deep grain and rough
surface. Outstanding varieties of
this class are Reds Yellow Dent
and Johnson County White, which
require 120 to $50 days growing sea-
son and means that the crop must
be planted not later than May Is.
There are many varieties suited
to a shorter growing season and in
this class follows the big majority
Of varieties common on Montgomery
County farms and although the
farmer has the pleasure of delayed
planting the yield was cut in pro-
portion. The third classification
might be termed northern corn"
which means mature in a very short
growing season and these varieties
are characterized by very shallow
grains which give the ear smooth
surface. None of these are suited
for our local conditions.
Where corn serves a dual purpose
for silo filling and husking for the
crib, perhaps the most adapted va
riety to our condition would be the
Johnson County White which grows
a comparatively big fodder and
which also if allowed to mature will
produce big ears and higher yields.
After the variety has been Sc
lected it is of prime Importance that
healthy, strong seed be selected.
The most desirable time for making
such selection is at cutting time by
selecting not only a desirable type
ear but an ear from stalks Of de-
sired size. These ears if imme-
diately husked should be stored where
they will dry out quickly. However,
if possible the stalk and ear should
be left standing in the field until
thoroughly dried out. 1t is regret
ted that me above practice is not
practical on many farms due TO our
rush in preparing for corn and
wheat. Then for the bulk of our
seed supply we must rely on Sc
lecting from the crib. After the
corn crop is thoroughly dried out
in the fall, seed selection is com
paratively easy, but under our con-
/. ditions there is always a certain
amount Of ears which do not dry
, out thoroughly in the fall and all
of these when carefully examined
, will show a mouldy condition either
around the grain or in the cob, otter
in both places. If such seed is
/ planted under ideal conditions it will
probably terminate sufficiently tC
produce a stand but il the GROUND
, is too cold for immediate Rermina-
: ton the grain cutting will begin to
decay and mold, and will kill the
germ before it has had chance to
produce a plant. In selecting seed
corn we should, therefore, keep in
mind that seed ears should be thor
oughly dry, grain tight on the cob
and both grain and cob be free from
any evidence Of mold.
In the past very few farmers have
applied commercial fertilizer to the
corn crop, thinking that an applica-
ton Of barnyard manure supplied an
adequate amount of all forms Of
plant food. However, this is not the
case. An application Of 10 tons Of
barnyard manure is equivalent to
one ton of commercial fertilizer
analysing 6-1-5, and any farmer can
see that one unit Of acid phosphate
is not sufficient to produce a crop
such as corn which requires "A large
amount Of phosphate for maturing
the ears. Our recommendation is TO
use 400 pounds of acid phosphate or
an 0-12-5 mixture per acre. Under
such conditions this can be applied
by adding certain amount to each
load Of manure or by the use Of a
drill. Applying fertilizer in the hill
is not recommended except under
certain conditions where plant lice
and the cut worm makes it neces-
sary 10 use kainit and in such cases
we expect the termination Of seed
to be greatly effected especially il
dry weather prevails during the
planting season.
Where barnyard manure has not
been applied an application of 400
pounds Of complete fertilizer such
as 4-8-4 will greatly improve the
corning crop.
The use Of complete plant food
on the Montgomery corn crop will
not only insure greater yields but
will produce heavier iirmer corn
of greater ,uality and at the same
tins shorten the growing season
anywhere from 8 to ~ days, all Of
which is important, especially where
we desire to grow the heavier yield
ing varieties which should constitute
a big percentage Of the crop.
Rough ears, deep grain and long
growing season so together, while
| smooth earg. shallow grain. and