1052 



Rural School Leaflet. 



large, of good color, and in regular rows that show no space between." 

 But now we know that to select the best of seed corn we must first 

 select the plant on which the com grows. This should be thrifty and 

 yield the largest amount of corn; and after we have selected the seed 

 com, typical kernels should be germinated in a seed tester to prove 

 the vigor of the seed. 



Observations for pupils 



I. Take a stalk of ripe corn; describe the central stem; how many 

 joints or nodes are there in it? Of what use to the plant are 



Fig. 19. — The Harvest 



these nodes ? Are they near together at the top or at the bottom 

 of the stalk? 



2. Cut a cornstalk across and describe its structure. Which is the 

 stronger, the outer portion or the inner? 



3, Where do the leaves come off the stem? Take off a leaf and note 

 how much of it clasps the stem. Of what use to the plant is the 

 ^xtra strength given by the clasping leaf? 



