Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1917 — Christie Explains Method To Improve Corn. [ARTICLE]

Christie Explains Method To Improve Corn.

By G. I. Christie, Supt. of Agricultural Extension, Purdue University. Under average methods of seed selection and field conditions there is from year to year more orless deterioration in all varieties of corn. Through the mixing caused by stray pollen of other varieties and careless selection of the seed tne varieties lose in quality, producing power and other valuable characteristics. This “running out”, of corn makes jt necessary to secure a new supply of > seed every few years—a practice which is responsible in a large fneasure for the unsatisfactory condition of the com at the present time. One simple and satisfactory way in which improvement in a variety _ot corn may fee maje readily is by planting each year a seed corn patch, which not only furnishes a chance for improvement through selection of the seed, reduction in the number of barren, suckered and diseased stalks, but it also furnishes a convenient place from which the seed com can be gathered easily at the right time and in the proper way in the fall. . To plant a seed com patch about 25 of the best and most typical ears of corn should be selected from the seed intended for the general crop. A thorough germination test should be made of each ear and all the weak or dried ears discarded, as it is important, that only ears of the strongest vitality be planted. All kernels off in color or mixed should be removed. The small and irregular grains on the tips and butts of the ears should also be shelled off abd discarded. The ears should be shelled together and mixed thoroughly. With this com the planter should be tested and the plates adujsted until the desired number of kernels can be secured. The planting should be done at the usual tiine.

The patch may be planted by itself far enough away from other com to avoid danger from mixing, or itmay be planted in one comer or on one side of the general field. If planted in the general field it should be planted on the south or west side, so that at tasseling time the prevailing winds are from that direction and little pollen, if any, from the general field will be carried to the patch. The patch should receive the usual good cultivation which will preserve a soil mulch and keep the ground free of weeds. In this way moisture will be retained in the soil for the use of the crop.