The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-22
By J. G. HANEY

The state corn show to be held here
next week has taken a prominent
place among the institutions of our
state that are helping to bring about
more permanent and successful ag-
riculture. While it is true, red men
depended largely on corn 200 years
before white men settled this region,
1t is only in recent years that corn
has come to have significant posi-
ton in our agriculture.
With a rather tardy recognition of
the fact that. depending too largely
Oil small grains was hazardous, great
.,er interest began to be shown in corn
This new interest raised pertinent
questions among the farmers of this
region because many of them had
never grown corn, particularly under
conditions as found here. What va
riety, where to obtain seed, how and
where to plant, cultivate, harvest and
select seed and how to use the corn
crop to advantage, were some of the
questions asked.
The state corn show is really re-
suit of the demand for an answer to
these many questions. The most sue
ceSSful corn growers and the best
informed men of this region have been
attracted to these exhibitions and the
benefit from personal conservation,
bvieWing the thousands of exhibits, and
listening to discussions from the plat
form by corn specialists. is doing more
than could be done in any other way
70 answer questions pertinent to this
great crop. A big value of the corn
show is to indicate what varieties and
methods Of culture will produce the
best crop. At the first corn show ever
held in community not far fran
Bismarck, in 1880, there were over 100
samples of corn shown, representing
practically every variety-many of
them mixed-that could be matured
in this state. In the older corn re-
gions, there are only few varieties
shown, because experience has taught
that only a few are best adapted and
the others have been dropped. Also
at this first corn show, it was clearly
indicated that few had ever before
had the experience of trying to select
q 1O-ear sample of corn for show pur-
poses.
Big Ears Attractive
In many cases, the eXhibitor-tOr
the first time-brings in the largest
ears of corn he can find-Often with
out regard for any other qualification.
We believe there is too strong ten
dency among even good corn growers
to try to grow ears too large. They
ripen successfully during exceptional
years, such as the last several have
been, but the greener corn is when
frosted the "sourer' it becomes-lit-
orally as we'll as figuratively.
The corn show helps to answer the
question that every ear OF corn should
be asked before it is planted-will it
grow and mature satisfactory yield
before frost. Any winning lO-ear
sample OF 1882 corn shown at the corn
show must have these qualities. Many
varieties are early, but too small,
while others are large, but too late.
Corn Easily Improved
Corn is relatively a new crop, as
compared to the small grains, and de-
sirable qualities can, by reasonably
careful selection, be improved; such as
thine of maturity, height OF stalk,
depth of grain, ETC., and it is only
by careful selection and following pro-
per cultural methods, that we can
hope to preserve or improve the value
Of this great crop.
We speak from 20 years experience
In growing and selecting a pure strain
yellow corn in North Dakota. when We
say that we believe there is greater
possibility in following careful selec-
ton from pure strains to improve our
corn, than any other. and We believe,
by proper selection of seed, that suit
able varieties can be developed for
every good farming region. AS proof
of this it can be said, that we have
saved a good quantity of mature seed
corn, not only at our Larimore, N. D.,
demonstration farm. but also at Oak
Lake, Man., and Gull Lake, SaSk.,