306 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



If large oil content is sought, ears having kernels with large germs 

 are selected for seed. 



If large protein content is sought, the ears with kernels having a large 

 amount of horny starch are selected for seed. It is claimed that in 

 ears of the same breed, one has little difiQculty in distinguishing with the 

 eye, between kernels of high and kernels of low protein. By selecting 

 corn of high protein content for seed, the average content has been 

 raised several per cent in experiments conducted for that purpose. 



FIXING CHARACTER. 



The success attained in this is not always complete. One of the older 

 and well known breeds of corn is rather noted for the number of ears 

 it produces untrue to type. One Michigan breed produces at the present 

 time too great variation in style of ears and of kernels. There is good 

 reason to believe, however, that this variation both of ear and kernel 

 can be greatly lessened and quite readily, too. 



On the other hand other well known breeds, while they vary in size 

 because of climatic and soil condition appear to produce ears remark- 

 ably constant in general appearance as regards shape of ear, color and 

 shape of kernel. 



Careful selection is the basis for work along this line. Controlled 

 cross breeding should be very helpful in eliminating varations and in 

 fixing definite character. 



THE IDEAL OR PERFECT EAR. 



It is not often found. It must possess certain physical qualities or 

 characters: 



1. Shape. In shape it should be cylindrical, or only slightly 

 tapering. The very tapering ear is being bred away from. The 

 rows should be straight, extending completely from butt to tip. 

 See Figs (1) and (2). 



2. Color. The cobs should be red for yellow corn, white for 

 white corn, and red or white for the white caps as now bred, but 

 all red or all white. 



There should be no kernels present indicating by color or shape that 

 cross polinating from another breed has taken place. 



3. Tips. The tips should be well covered with kernels of uni- 

 form size, the rows remaining unbroken to the end. The question 

 as to whether the cob may not protrude slightly is ah open one. 



4. Butts. See Figs 11 and 12. The butts should be well rounded 

 as "Shown in the Fig. 11. • The shank or ear stalk should equal 

 about one-third the total diameter of the ear. 



5. Kernels. The kernels should be wedge-shaped, so that they 

 shall fill completely all space betwen the circumference of the ear 

 and the circumference of the cob. See Figs. 13 and 14 and 15 (c). 

 To examine kernels, remove two kernels side by side from the 



