Mercer Flint

Yellow-kerneled northern flint. Cobs 12-rowed, 6-9", 1-2 per plant. Sturdy plants 4.5'-6' tall, no lodging. ~65 days to silk. Some cobs "bear pawed". Named for Mercer County, North Dakota, and was once popular in the area. At the ND Industrial Exposition in 1911, Mercer County declared itself "Majestic Mercer." C. F. Schweigert set up a booth; the showpiece was corn. Several papers reported on the booth, the Fargo Forum stating, "History records the fact that the Mandan Indians cultivated corn years before the famous explorers, Lewis and Clark, visited their villages which were located near Stanton. It was not until 1880 that the first white families came to Mercer County. Edward Heinemeyer made a special effort to raise corn, but did not succeed until he had secured seed from the Mandan. That crop was the foundation of "Mercer Flint." After 27 years of improving the variety, Mr. Heinemeyer has a corn that can compete with any corn grown in this state."