THE GROWING OF CORN. 101 



Question. At what season of the year would you 

 plough land for corn ? 



Dr. Stuktevant. I rather prefer, on many accounts, fall 

 ploughing ; but then there are reasons why I prefer spring 

 ploughing in this locality : so that I always feel rather un- 

 decided in my own mind. Take it in an open, dry winter, 

 when I see clouds of dust flying off of my land, I wish I had 

 delayed my ploughing until spring. 



Capt. Moore. I would like to ask the doctor if he regards 

 smut as a fungus. 



Dr. Stuktevant. I regard it as belonging to the fungi 

 class. But, as I said before, I am only quoting when I talk 

 about fungus. I know nothing about it practically as a study. 



Capt. Moore. Then, if I understand you right, you say, 

 that, when 3'ou have smut on the plant or on the ear, it 

 develops through that plant down, and up into another ear 

 that is sound. 



Dr. Sturtevant. What I mean to say is, that this theory 

 of the smut-plant is, that it grovvs up through the plant, and 

 permeates the plant to the point where it develops itself. In 

 every case where it has been looked for, it has been found 

 that the mycelium exists in every part of the plant, not 

 recognizable by the eye, being too minute, but only to be 

 seen on careful investigation ; so that, if you find a smutty 

 ear on a plant, it is wisdom not to keep any other ear upon 

 that plant for seed purposes. 



Capt. Moore. I Avantecl to see if I understood you right. 

 I understood you, and I think the audience did, in this way : 

 that the smut, being developed on the upper ear tlmt you 

 had there, travels down, through, and up into a higher ear. 



Dr. Sturtevant. No, sir : it travels up, and it takes the 

 lower ear first. 



Capt. jNIoore. Do you mean that the smut-plant goes 

 into the kernel, and is there stored up, and develops smut 

 next year ? 



Dr. Sturtevant. So it is stated by the best authorities. 



Capt. Moore. I want some proof of it, if you have an}'-. 



Dr. Sturtevant. I have no definite proof. I only know 

 that a smutty ear will bring more smut in the product than 

 a carefully selected ear. 



Mr. . I notice, in examining the reports from different 



