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CROSSBREEDING CORN. 



Eleven of the fourteen crosses of distinct varieties produced less 

 grain than the better yielding of the two parents. Wlien the pounds 

 of ears harvested is reduced to a water-free basis, according to the 

 percentage of water in the shelled grain at harvest time, the general 

 results remain the same, namely, 11 comparisons in which the first- 

 generation cross produced less and 3 in which it produced more than 

 the better yielding of the two parents. 



In Table IV those crosses which produced better than either parent 

 are classed as advantageous. The others are classed as disadvan- 

 tageous. 



Table IV. — First-generation crosses of corn (male parent, Selection 119), showing pounds 

 of grain produced {water-free basis) and classified as advantageous and disadvantageous. 



ADVANTAGEOUS CROSSES. 



Without consideration of water content the Oliio Leaming cross 

 would be a disadvantageous cross, but the dryness of the ears, due 

 doubtless in some degree to the earliness of the female parent, causes 

 it to fall into the class of advantageous crosses with an increased 

 yield of 5 per cent over Selection 119. A cross made in 1900 in 

 which this strain of Leaming was used as male parent also produced 

 dry and unusually solid ears. 



Cross 120 was originated in 1902 by planting occasional rows of 

 Hickory King in a field of Selection 119. All Hickory King stalks 

 were detasseled. Since 1902 Cross 120 and Selection 119 have been 

 improved in yield and adapted to climatic and soil conditions near 

 Washington, D. C, by yearly growing ear-to-row breeding plats 

 and saving seed from the best stalks of the highest yielding rows. 



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