REPORT OF SEED IMPROVEMENT WORK. 37 



While earliness is of fundamental importance, and it is qiiitc likely 

 that there will be some difference in earliness between the dififerent 

 rows, yet the selection should be made only from the highest yield- 

 ing rows which are capable of maturing in the average season of 

 the locality. It is felt that the selection for yield should be made 

 on the basis of the largest amount of corn tit for seed purposes, it 

 being desirable to eliminate in so far as possible ill shaped and poor- 

 ly matured corn. After the row from which the seed is to be taken 

 the following year has been selected, the corn should be carefully 

 cured and stored. In selecting from the best row the seed for the 

 experimental plot for 191 1, it would be best to select twenty to 

 twenty-five of the best ears as to shape, size, tips, butts, etc., and 

 apply to each ear the germination test, and then from the ears tested 

 select the ten ears having the highest test. The balance of tlie corn 

 raised from the best row should be used as seed for the main crop 

 for 1911. 



General. A report blank for corn will be furni.shcd each member 

 of the As.sociation. It should be carefully read and its requirements 

 understood. At the close of the season after the corn is h-irvested 

 this report should be filled out and forwarded to Leon S. Merrill. 

 Secretary, Orono, Maine. 



The experimental plot should be planted if possible ^t least 40 

 rods distant from any other corn, and would advise that it be located 

 near the road so that it may attract attention to the work being car- 

 ried on by the Association. If comparisons are to be made between 

 the results obtained on this experimental plot and your main crop, 

 then the preparation of the soil, cultivation and fertilization should 

 be the same, as it is not desirable that the lots of corn sent out for 

 experimental purposes should be grown under abnormal conditions. 



When members of the association are obliged to purchase corn 

 for seed purposes they should insist that it be delivered to them on 

 the ear, and when any is sold by them it should always be delivered 

 to their customers on the ear. 



Potatoes. The plan for improving potatoes is similar to that 

 of corn except that the unit of selection is a hill instead of ears. 

 The following copy of report blank explains itself : 



DETAILED PLANS FOR SEED BREEDING WORK. 



POTATOES. 



Primary purpose of work: Breeding strains of each of the com- 

 mercially important varieties of potatoes which shall be high yield- 

 ing. 



Work in 1910: Obtain the best and purest seed of the variety you 

 select which you can find. Go over the seed very carefully and re- 

 ject all badly shaped, abnormal, undersized and diseased tuber.-.. 

 Disinfect the seed with formaldehyde (see Maine Eperimcnt Stati mi 

 circulars, 309 and 375)- 



