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\l&£ JO due Univer LIBRA- ' Garden VOL. LVI. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., NOVEMBER 2, 1901. NO. 44 Wide Spread Corn Barrenness. Editors Indians Farmer: Corn growurs generally have noted tbe wide-spread barrenness which prevails throughout the oorn belt. But there ia a great difference of opinion as to the cause of such a great barrenness in seme fields, while iu other fields uear by, there is but little barrennes. It is very evident that the scorching hot rays of the July sun, prevented perfect oollenization in some particular fields, while the pollcniz.i- tion process in other fields was vigorous, and grain producing. That there is much barrenness (degeneracy), throughout all organic life, no wide-awake naturalist can fail to see. All plant life, as well as animal and even human* life, has its drones and weaklings. We have only to look around us to see many scrub animals, many incapable, outcast human b ings, many imperfect unproductive plants. The writer has been receiving the past mouth, numerous letters from corn growers throughout the corn states, expressing alarm at the condition of the corn crop, which in some fields, has more than 70 per cent of barren stalks, and ..-iking him what was the matter with their corn-, as they "oould not count for it." Alter more than 29 years practical field experience as a corn breeder, the writer believes that there are as many drones and weaklings in most corn fields, proportionally, as there are iu hives of bees, or communities of men. And that the drones (stalks which are lazy or barren, and which produce very little, or nothing at all in the way of grain), do more, through the curse of barrenness ami its attendant degeneracy, to reduce our average yield of corn, than poor soil, adverse seasons, and lazy men. combined, A careful counting of the productive, and barren stalks in many fields of degenerate corn, during the almost universally good corn years of 1899 and 1900, revealed the fact that in many instances, more than 40 per cent of the maturing -t.-ilks were entirely ban en. or nearly so. Barrenness, according to the writer's experience, is on** of the strongest marks of degeneracy. And reveals itself in various ways, such as dry rot, smut, low germinating power, excessive stalk growth nubbins, and entire grain absence. Late reports from reliable corn growers, in widely soporated localities in the corn States. Bay that the per cent of barren stalks in various fields Of both well-bred aad degenerate (run out.) corn, ranges from 7 per .cut to 74 per cent, depending on the degree **f degeneracy of tbe corn grown, in each particular instance. It is the writer's candid opinion that the curse of barrenness which so thoroughly pervades all degenerate vegetable life, is annually operating to reduce its productiveness, as well as its breeding standard, through the medium of degenerate, impotent pollonization. Indeed, the one term embraces the other. There is no question iu- the writer's mind, that such degenerate —barren—polleniz.ition operates in various ways, for the reduction of both quantity nnd quality of the product. Eminent naturalists agree that throughout the entire animal ami vegetable kingdom, the productiveness of fruit and grain plants depends entirely on vigorous, progressive pollonization. They also agree that it is the physically degenerate (thoroughbred scrub) individuals, whose constitutional vigor lias 1 n mnch lessened by discontinued breeding presure, in the hands of the average farmer, that are much more susceptible to, ami invariably first succumb to either extreme hot or cold summer weather. This was especially true during the unseasonably hot weather of last July, while the early planted corn of the entire corn belt was in the blooming and grain forming stag**. The writer having made many personal visits during the past month, to widely separated localities in the corn belt, is fully convinced that the decrease of corn yield in about 75 per cent of the early planted (say half the total acreage), corn this year will be not less than 15 bnahela per acre, and in some fields much more, due to the barrenness so rampant in many run OU| varieties of com. During years when weather conditions tire very favorable, the tendency to barrenness is forced to latency. But during either very hot. or very cold summers, the innate barren tendency becomes active to the extent that grain barrenness becomes rampant in the extreme. Fully 60 per cent of the stalks, in about 75 per cent Of the fields, throughout the corn belt, this year, are either entirely barren, or nearly so. owing to sexual int- potency. which caused abortive pollonization. And as fully 40 per cent of the pollen which took part in pollenizing even the best ears, in many fields, was barren (degenerate) pollent, it naturally follows, by tho light of past experience, that by the sheer force nf inheritance, there will be an unusually large per cent of barren stalks in all 1902 fields (and even in succeeding years), which are plan-ted with sucli degenerate seed. A letter just received from an extensive corn grower in McLean county. Illinois, states that in three different counts, in his field of well bred corn, recently, he found no barren stalks. While other com in his neighborhood had a large per cent of barren stalks, and was far along in the path of degeneracy. The vigorous, progressive, profuse, and long continued growth of extreme temperature resisting pollen in a field of well bred corn, which had greatness as the basis of a successful cross, followed up by several years of well-balanced breeding pressure, insures complete and vigorous pollonization, and .-on-sequent superior grain yield, in spite of extreme temperature during the grain forming stage. By reason of its having been carefully rogued (nature's weaklings destroyed before they formed their pollen) during a series of years, it becomes more free from barrenness, in a geometrical ratio, its the years go by. Ami owing to its great vigor, and flexibility of organism. ,lni* to well-balanced breeding pressure, it still further benefits in the way of increased yields, and high quality, hy removal to ether ami divers* soils ami climates. To make clearer the process **f "rogu- ing," will say that each summer, before tin* diseased, small, ami barren stalks have their tassels cut off before their pollen* is formed. Thus the pollen of tin* strong, vigorous, healthy stalks only, is allowed to participate in tho pollonization process. BVery farmer who will annually set aside an acre ,tt least, on whioh to plant his best seed corn, ami diligently rogue such acre just before it ripens its pollen, oan do muoh to decrease the curse of barrenness in his corn crop. But Judicious crossing of well bred varieties followed np by diligent and well- balanced breeding pressure, during a series of not loss than 10 years, or until a cosmopolitan (al home everywhere) character, or in other words, a flexible, bo.iy- antly adaptive organism is established. It will flan 1.** in position to produce maxi mum yields in tho locality in whioh it has been bred up. ami still greater yields in < ther and diverse' localities. The writer will take the greatest pleasure in giving any further desired Information on the subject in hand to all who will send postage t** meet cost of replying. Voorhies. 111. -1. • '. Suffern. Men Wbo Have Helped tne I* armor. Kiiltu-s ludlana Farmer: Benjamin Franklin. (Kiel April 17, 1790.) On hearing of the death of tho man who "knew how to subdue thunder ami tyranny," Congress passed a resolution that the members should wear mourning for one month out of reverence for a citizen "whose native genius was not more an ornament to human nature than his various exertions of it have been to science, t** freedom, and to his country." In the National Assembly of Franco, Miriibeau proposed the wearing of mourning iu order ti* "participate iu the homage rendered in the face of the universe to the rights ..I' man. and to the philosopher who has s.i eminently propagated the conquest of them throughout the world."*""* But "tho man.*.-sided Franklin'' was more than a "celebrated American philosopher, statesman, diplomatist, ami author." He was the great apostle of thrift ami prudence, whose wise sayings have probably bail more influence for good than those of any other proverb-maker of modern times. His Poor Richard's Almanac, tirst published in December. 17.">2. was the means by which he gave the world tho every-day wisdom which won him friends ami tame and made him genuinely useful to the common people of his own time and country, and later to the people of all countries. This first issue was called "An Almanack for the year of Christ 1733.'' It was popular from the start, and three editions were published. Franklin- continued to print this almanac for 25 years. The last one was "a skimming of the cream from the 24 previous issues,'' and was called The Way to Wealth. Paul Leicester Ford gives the following interesting facts: "Seventy-five editions of it have been printed in English, 50 iu French, 11 in German and nine in Italian. It has been translated into Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Welsh, Polish, Gaelic, Russian, Bohemian, Dutch, Catalan, Chinese, modern Greek, and phonetic writing. It has been printed at least 400 times, and is today as popular as ever." Franklin* was not a farmer, as were Washington and Jefferson; yet no one can appreciate more thoroughly than the farmer this fragment of Poor Richard's wisdom: "He that by the plow would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive." And who can understand better than the fanner that "it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright"? Franklin's fable of the tax-gatherers is characteristic. A crowd were waiting for the beginning of a public sale and some were complaining about the heavy taxes. Some one asked a certain Father Abraham what he thought of the times. The old man- answered, "If you would have my advice, I will give it you in short; for a word to the wise is enough, as Poor Richard says." The people gathered around him and he went on: "Friends, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says." The following sayings are typical of Poor Richard—and not without wholesome lessons for most of us: "Drive thy business, let not that drive thee." "Early to bed and early to rise Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." "He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night." "A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last." "A fat kitchen makes a lean tn "Beware of little expenses; -.ill leak will sink a great ship." "Necessity has no law; I know -... .. :**.- torneys ot the same." "He that is of opinion that mont do everything, may well be suspec: doing everything for money." "Dine with little, sup with loss; Better still; sleep supperless." "Cheese and salt meat Should be sparingly eat." When Franklin was in London he was given to understand that his country was not equal to England because it had no leisure class. The wise philosopher admitted that his country lacked that mark of advancement, an.l said: "The husbandman is in honor there, and even the mechanic, because their employments are useful"; and then added that his people "are pleased with the observation of the negro" that the white man"make de black man workee, make de horse workee, make de ox workee. make ebery ting workee; only de hog. He, de hog, no workee; he eat. he drink, ho walk about, he go to sleep when he please, he live like a gemplemau." As an investigator of scientific problems, Franklin had no equal in his day. His discoveries in electricity were fundamental. For his demonstration that lightning is merely a discharge of electricity he received tho Copley medal from the Royal Society of London in 17.">.'i. As a promoter of education, he has few- equals. In 1743 he founded the American Philosophical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is also indebted to him for her first and greatest library and her first hospital. Franklin's public life is known to evetj school boy. It is enough to say here that he was a member of the Continental Congress in 1770 and of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence: that he was one of the most influential members of the constitutional convention; that he was the chief member of the commission which secured the treaty by which France recognized the independence of the United States; he being ambassador to France at that time: and tha he, with Jay ami Adams, concluded the treaty of Peace with England in 1783. With mi- international fame as a philosopher, a statesman, and a diplomatist, what wonder that Jefferson, when some one in Paris asked him. "You have come to fill Franklin's place?" should answer, "Oh. no. sir; no man living can do that!" Franklin was 84 years and 3 months old tho day ho died, having been born January 17 1706. D. W. Working. Denver, Colorado.
Object Description
Title | Indiana farmer, 1901, v. 56, no. 44 (Nov. 2) |
Purdue Identification Number | INFA5644 |
Date of Original | 1901 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | United States - Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or not-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Date Digitized | 2011-03-21 |
Digitization Information | Original scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or non-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Digitization Information | Orignal scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Transcript | \l&£ JO due Univer LIBRA- ' Garden VOL. LVI. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., NOVEMBER 2, 1901. NO. 44 Wide Spread Corn Barrenness. Editors Indians Farmer: Corn growurs generally have noted tbe wide-spread barrenness which prevails throughout the oorn belt. But there ia a great difference of opinion as to the cause of such a great barrenness in seme fields, while iu other fields uear by, there is but little barrennes. It is very evident that the scorching hot rays of the July sun, prevented perfect oollenization in some particular fields, while the pollcniz.i- tion process in other fields was vigorous, and grain producing. That there is much barrenness (degeneracy), throughout all organic life, no wide-awake naturalist can fail to see. All plant life, as well as animal and even human* life, has its drones and weaklings. We have only to look around us to see many scrub animals, many incapable, outcast human b ings, many imperfect unproductive plants. The writer has been receiving the past mouth, numerous letters from corn growers throughout the corn states, expressing alarm at the condition of the corn crop, which in some fields, has more than 70 per cent of barren stalks, and ..-iking him what was the matter with their corn-, as they "oould not count for it." Alter more than 29 years practical field experience as a corn breeder, the writer believes that there are as many drones and weaklings in most corn fields, proportionally, as there are iu hives of bees, or communities of men. And that the drones (stalks which are lazy or barren, and which produce very little, or nothing at all in the way of grain), do more, through the curse of barrenness ami its attendant degeneracy, to reduce our average yield of corn, than poor soil, adverse seasons, and lazy men. combined, A careful counting of the productive, and barren stalks in many fields of degenerate corn, during the almost universally good corn years of 1899 and 1900, revealed the fact that in many instances, more than 40 per cent of the maturing -t.-ilks were entirely ban en. or nearly so. Barrenness, according to the writer's experience, is on** of the strongest marks of degeneracy. And reveals itself in various ways, such as dry rot, smut, low germinating power, excessive stalk growth nubbins, and entire grain absence. Late reports from reliable corn growers, in widely soporated localities in the corn States. Bay that the per cent of barren stalks in various fields Of both well-bred aad degenerate (run out.) corn, ranges from 7 per .cut to 74 per cent, depending on the degree **f degeneracy of tbe corn grown, in each particular instance. It is the writer's candid opinion that the curse of barrenness which so thoroughly pervades all degenerate vegetable life, is annually operating to reduce its productiveness, as well as its breeding standard, through the medium of degenerate, impotent pollonization. Indeed, the one term embraces the other. There is no question iu- the writer's mind, that such degenerate —barren—polleniz.ition operates in various ways, for the reduction of both quantity nnd quality of the product. Eminent naturalists agree that throughout the entire animal ami vegetable kingdom, the productiveness of fruit and grain plants depends entirely on vigorous, progressive pollonization. They also agree that it is the physically degenerate (thoroughbred scrub) individuals, whose constitutional vigor lias 1 n mnch lessened by discontinued breeding presure, in the hands of the average farmer, that are much more susceptible to, ami invariably first succumb to either extreme hot or cold summer weather. This was especially true during the unseasonably hot weather of last July, while the early planted corn of the entire corn belt was in the blooming and grain forming stag**. The writer having made many personal visits during the past month, to widely separated localities in the corn belt, is fully convinced that the decrease of corn yield in about 75 per cent of the early planted (say half the total acreage), corn this year will be not less than 15 bnahela per acre, and in some fields much more, due to the barrenness so rampant in many run OU| varieties of com. During years when weather conditions tire very favorable, the tendency to barrenness is forced to latency. But during either very hot. or very cold summers, the innate barren tendency becomes active to the extent that grain barrenness becomes rampant in the extreme. Fully 60 per cent of the stalks, in about 75 per cent Of the fields, throughout the corn belt, this year, are either entirely barren, or nearly so. owing to sexual int- potency. which caused abortive pollonization. And as fully 40 per cent of the pollen which took part in pollenizing even the best ears, in many fields, was barren (degenerate) pollent, it naturally follows, by tho light of past experience, that by the sheer force nf inheritance, there will be an unusually large per cent of barren stalks in all 1902 fields (and even in succeeding years), which are plan-ted with sucli degenerate seed. A letter just received from an extensive corn grower in McLean county. Illinois, states that in three different counts, in his field of well bred corn, recently, he found no barren stalks. While other com in his neighborhood had a large per cent of barren stalks, and was far along in the path of degeneracy. The vigorous, progressive, profuse, and long continued growth of extreme temperature resisting pollen in a field of well bred corn, which had greatness as the basis of a successful cross, followed up by several years of well-balanced breeding pressure, insures complete and vigorous pollonization, and .-on-sequent superior grain yield, in spite of extreme temperature during the grain forming stage. By reason of its having been carefully rogued (nature's weaklings destroyed before they formed their pollen) during a series of years, it becomes more free from barrenness, in a geometrical ratio, its the years go by. Ami owing to its great vigor, and flexibility of organism. ,lni* to well-balanced breeding pressure, it still further benefits in the way of increased yields, and high quality, hy removal to ether ami divers* soils ami climates. To make clearer the process **f "rogu- ing," will say that each summer, before tin* diseased, small, ami barren stalks have their tassels cut off before their pollen* is formed. Thus the pollen of tin* strong, vigorous, healthy stalks only, is allowed to participate in tho pollonization process. BVery farmer who will annually set aside an acre ,tt least, on whioh to plant his best seed corn, ami diligently rogue such acre just before it ripens its pollen, oan do muoh to decrease the curse of barrenness in his corn crop. But Judicious crossing of well bred varieties followed np by diligent and well- balanced breeding pressure, during a series of not loss than 10 years, or until a cosmopolitan (al home everywhere) character, or in other words, a flexible, bo.iy- antly adaptive organism is established. It will flan 1.** in position to produce maxi mum yields in tho locality in whioh it has been bred up. ami still greater yields in < ther and diverse' localities. The writer will take the greatest pleasure in giving any further desired Information on the subject in hand to all who will send postage t** meet cost of replying. Voorhies. 111. -1. • '. Suffern. Men Wbo Have Helped tne I* armor. Kiiltu-s ludlana Farmer: Benjamin Franklin. (Kiel April 17, 1790.) On hearing of the death of tho man who "knew how to subdue thunder ami tyranny," Congress passed a resolution that the members should wear mourning for one month out of reverence for a citizen "whose native genius was not more an ornament to human nature than his various exertions of it have been to science, t** freedom, and to his country." In the National Assembly of Franco, Miriibeau proposed the wearing of mourning iu order ti* "participate iu the homage rendered in the face of the universe to the rights ..I' man. and to the philosopher who has s.i eminently propagated the conquest of them throughout the world."*""* But "tho man.*.-sided Franklin'' was more than a "celebrated American philosopher, statesman, diplomatist, ami author." He was the great apostle of thrift ami prudence, whose wise sayings have probably bail more influence for good than those of any other proverb-maker of modern times. His Poor Richard's Almanac, tirst published in December. 17.">2. was the means by which he gave the world tho every-day wisdom which won him friends ami tame and made him genuinely useful to the common people of his own time and country, and later to the people of all countries. This first issue was called "An Almanack for the year of Christ 1733.'' It was popular from the start, and three editions were published. Franklin- continued to print this almanac for 25 years. The last one was "a skimming of the cream from the 24 previous issues,'' and was called The Way to Wealth. Paul Leicester Ford gives the following interesting facts: "Seventy-five editions of it have been printed in English, 50 iu French, 11 in German and nine in Italian. It has been translated into Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Welsh, Polish, Gaelic, Russian, Bohemian, Dutch, Catalan, Chinese, modern Greek, and phonetic writing. It has been printed at least 400 times, and is today as popular as ever." Franklin* was not a farmer, as were Washington and Jefferson; yet no one can appreciate more thoroughly than the farmer this fragment of Poor Richard's wisdom: "He that by the plow would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive." And who can understand better than the fanner that "it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright"? Franklin's fable of the tax-gatherers is characteristic. A crowd were waiting for the beginning of a public sale and some were complaining about the heavy taxes. Some one asked a certain Father Abraham what he thought of the times. The old man- answered, "If you would have my advice, I will give it you in short; for a word to the wise is enough, as Poor Richard says." The people gathered around him and he went on: "Friends, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says." The following sayings are typical of Poor Richard—and not without wholesome lessons for most of us: "Drive thy business, let not that drive thee." "Early to bed and early to rise Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." "He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night." "A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last." "A fat kitchen makes a lean tn "Beware of little expenses; -.ill leak will sink a great ship." "Necessity has no law; I know -... .. :**.- torneys ot the same." "He that is of opinion that mont do everything, may well be suspec: doing everything for money." "Dine with little, sup with loss; Better still; sleep supperless." "Cheese and salt meat Should be sparingly eat." When Franklin was in London he was given to understand that his country was not equal to England because it had no leisure class. The wise philosopher admitted that his country lacked that mark of advancement, an.l said: "The husbandman is in honor there, and even the mechanic, because their employments are useful"; and then added that his people "are pleased with the observation of the negro" that the white man"make de black man workee, make de horse workee, make de ox workee. make ebery ting workee; only de hog. He, de hog, no workee; he eat. he drink, ho walk about, he go to sleep when he please, he live like a gemplemau." As an investigator of scientific problems, Franklin had no equal in his day. His discoveries in electricity were fundamental. For his demonstration that lightning is merely a discharge of electricity he received tho Copley medal from the Royal Society of London in 17.">.'i. As a promoter of education, he has few- equals. In 1743 he founded the American Philosophical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is also indebted to him for her first and greatest library and her first hospital. Franklin's public life is known to evetj school boy. It is enough to say here that he was a member of the Continental Congress in 1770 and of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence: that he was one of the most influential members of the constitutional convention; that he was the chief member of the commission which secured the treaty by which France recognized the independence of the United States; he being ambassador to France at that time: and tha he, with Jay ami Adams, concluded the treaty of Peace with England in 1783. With mi- international fame as a philosopher, a statesman, and a diplomatist, what wonder that Jefferson, when some one in Paris asked him. "You have come to fill Franklin's place?" should answer, "Oh. no. sir; no man living can do that!" Franklin was 84 years and 3 months old tho day ho died, having been born January 17 1706. D. W. Working. Denver, Colorado. |
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