Removing Tassels fkom Corn. 



151 



The results of this experiment show that there ^\'as no marked 

 gain from removing the tassels and no uniforiuit:y in gain or loss 

 in yield with respect to the treated and the untreated rows, 

 as many treated rows show a greater yield ihan untreated rows 

 on either side and in many instances the reverse is true. This 

 variation would probably have occurred had individual rows 

 been selected at random from almost any part o" the tleld. There 

 is, however, quite a marked increase in abortive ears in the rows 

 where the tassels were removed, over the rows \vher(; the tassels 

 were left on, the increase being over forty ])er cent and about 

 the same per cent of increase is noticed in each plot. 



All '' sets " that produced silk, and that did not produce grain, 

 were counted as abortive ears; wherever a set produced grain, 

 if only a few kernels, the set was counted as an ear. 



The corn was cut, husked and weighed September twenty-ninth 

 to October fourth. 



The synopsis of the results of this experiment are given in the 

 follo\N'ing table with those of the experiment of the previous year: 



Number good ears . . , 

 Number poor ears . . . 

 Number abortive ears 

 Total number ears . . . 

 Weight good ears, lbs 

 Weight poor ears, lbs 

 Number stalks 



Comparative Yield 1891. 



Tassels left 

 on. 



100 

 100 

 100 

 lOU 

 100 

 100 

 100 



Tassels re- 

 moved. 



109 

 110 

 142 

 121 



99 

 110 



98 



COMPABATTVE YiELD 1890. 



Tassels leit 

 on. 



100 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 100 



Tassels re- 

 moved. 



151 

 141 

 3V 

 88 

 152 

 144 

 101 



On page 69, of Bulletin 20, of the Illinois Experiment Station, is 

 given the following on the " Effect of Removing Tassels :" " The 

 tassels on alternate rows on four-tenths of nn acre of IJurr's 

 white corn, were removed as soon as they appeared; each of tlie 

 thirty rows was husked and weighed separately. The total dif- 

 ference between those having the tassels removed and those not 

 removed was but one pound, thus showing no effect from remov- 



