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Wiuconsin Agricultural Experiment Association.
TOOLE'S NORTH STAR YELLOW DENT.
WILLIAM TOOLE, BAIRABOO, SAUK COUNTY.
We have not made comparative tests of the Toole's North
Star Yellow dent with other varieties of corn for a number of
ycars, because we have been unwilling to imperil its purity by
proximity to other varieties, but every year we have opportunity
to make comparisons with other kinds with the result that we are
satisfied it is better to continue improving what we have than
to make change.
Over thirty years ago and up to twenty-five years since my
brother and myself tried many different varieties of corn and
our first efforts were with southern grown early varieties, as the
dealers used to advertise such sorts which were claimed to ripen
in from ninety to one hundred days. Perhaps they would in
their own localities, but we learned by experience as have
others, that a variety brought from any considerable distance
south takes a much longer time to develop to maturity than it
did in its natural home. Change of environment and climate
conditions induce so much variation from the original type
that by the time it has become acclimated, it has become
practically a new and most often an inferior variety.  The
Leaming seemed to be the most promising variety to experiment
with, but after a few years growing our Leaming was some-
thing else, not at all satisfactory.
About twenty-six or seven years ago, we procured a variety
from a Saint Paul seed house which was called the North Star
Golden, and I think they called this firm the North Star Seed
Store. This variety and the Pride of the North seemed at that
time to be the two kinds of yellow dent best adapted to south
central Wisconsin, and our preference was given for the North
Star Golden. We for a number of years have aimed to hold
this variety to at least its origin-l standard of excellence and
purity. During that time we have shipped seed to many others.
There is always with some growers an inclination to tempt
Providence by growing large late varieties hoping for a large
yield, but a number of unfavorable experiences of late years
have shown many the folly of this, and we noted that at the
last two Sauk County fairs the exhibits of yellow dent corn
were largely of the North Star variety or showing the charac-
teristics.
Another extreme to which some incline is seeking extra earli-
ness, which may be desirable for some special uses, but it does
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