Removing Tassels from Cokn. 153 



Total number of ears from rows with tassels remain- 

 ing 1,108 



Average weight per ear from rows with tassels 



remaining . 595 



Yield in bushels from 2-20 of an acre, tassels removed, 16 . 19 



Rate per acre 107 . 9 



Yield in bushels from 2-20 of an acre, tassels remaining, 9 . 47 



Rate per acre 94 . 7 



In favor of removing t-assels 13 . 2 



" The corn was weighed in the field at the time of husking and 

 not quite dry, which will account for the heavy yields as then 

 indicated by the weight. But in any event it is here plainly 

 shown throughout all the details, that there was a decided gain 

 in the yield of corn by removing the tassels. It shows, also, 

 that the individual ears on tasseled rows were heavier than on 

 the rows where the tassels remained, and this in spite of the 

 fact that the proportion of nubbins is somewhat the largest in 

 the former * * * . 



" The tassels were removed from day to day as soon as they 

 appeared. 



" There is nothing absurd in the idea that the removal of the 

 tassel should increase the crop, provided tassels enough remain 

 to fertize all the ears. It is a well-known fact that the develop- 

 ment of the floral organs is a great strain upon the plant and the 

 strength which is saved by this process may very naturally be 

 directed toward the development of ears." 



The results of the experiment at the Illinois station and the 

 one made here last year, practically show no gain or loss in corn 

 production. The ones made at the Maryland and Nebraska sta- 

 tions show a loss, whUe the Kansas experiment and our of 1890 

 show a marked increase. 



Wherever an increase in yield has been secured by removing 

 the tassels, it seems to have been secured by removing them daily, 

 or as soon as they make their first appearance, that the object of 

 removing the tassels is not accomplished whenever they are 

 allowed to shed pollen or even expand. The failure to secure an 



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