250 BOARD 0-F AGRICULTURE. 



It will not be necessai-y here to enter into a separate discussion of 

 theories. Let us proceed at once to take up one or two lines along which 

 the ordinary farmer can improve his corn, and outline the methods of 

 procedure. 



Breeding for Large Yields and Uniform Quality. — To begin with, select 

 a number of ears of corn of the desired type. The ears should be of good 

 average size. The shape should be as nearly cylindrical as possible, with 

 a proper proportion of circumference to length. The rows should be 

 straight; the kernels should be deep, moderately rough, of moderate 

 breadth and thickness, with a strong, well-developed germ and uniform 

 in size and shape throughout the length and circumference of the ear. 

 All the ears selected should be as nearly alike in every respect as pos- 

 sible. , 



In making this selection the scoi-e card of the Indiana Corn Growers' 

 Association will be a good guide. The larger the number of ears used 

 in this work of breeding the more rapid and pronounced will be the prog- 

 i-ess. For the purpose of our illustration, let us assume that twenty ears 

 are selected. After a satisfactory selection has been made each ear 

 should be tested and proven perfect in germinating power. The ears 

 should then be carefully tipped and butted, discarding all irregular, small 

 or otherwise imperfect kernels. They may tlien be shelled and preserved 

 separately until planting time, or they may be shelled directly into the 

 planter at the time of planting. 



For the breeding plat, select a uniform piece of ground in good 

 average condition. This may be located in a place by itself, away from 

 all other cornfields, or it may be one side of a regular cornfield. If the 

 latter location is chosen, it should be on the windward side of the field, 

 i. e., on the side from which the prevailing winds come at the time of 

 tasseling. This sliould be done in order that the rows may be protected 

 as much as possible from the pollen of the corn in the main part of 

 the field. 



The corn from each ear must be planted in a separate row. or in two 

 or more rows, according 1o the length. When more than one row per 

 ear is required, the rows should alternate with rows planted from another 

 ear. A careful record of the number of the row or rows in which each 

 ear is planted should be made. For greater accuracy and as a guiele for 

 future selection, a brief written description and pedigree of each ear used 

 should be made before it is shelled. 



As soon as tassels begin to appear the largest number of desirable 

 but alternate rows should be selected for detasseling. If there appears 

 to be much difference in the time of tasseling, select the earliest rows for 

 detasseling. The outside row, or preferably the two outside rows, should 

 not be detasselcd. Assuming that the odd numbered rows are selected 

 for detasseling, begin with row No. 3, and carefully pull out or cut out 

 the tassels as rapidly as they appear. In no case should any of these 



