DEPAKTMENT EEPORTS. 



131 



In case we do not wish the tassel of any stalk of corn to shed pollen, the 

 tassel can be easily pulled out when young, as we frequently pull out the tops 

 of young timothy or June grass. 



IS THE UPPEK EAR MORE VALUABLE THAN" THE LOWER FOR SEED? 



The following experiments were tried in 1881-2 for the purpose of determin- 

 ing whether seed corn saved from the upper ear of a stalk which bore two ears 

 was any more productive than that saved from the lower ear. 



In 1881 the seed from six ears of dent corn, which came from stalks bear- 

 ing two ears each, was planted. The upper and lower ears were planted in 

 alternate rows, so that each might receive the same treatment as nearly as 

 possible. The rows contained nine hills, 3^ feet apart, and generally four 

 stalks to the hill. The soil was quite poor and not manured very heavily. 



On September 29th, 1881, the above was husked, and, in every case, the 

 ears were larger from the seed from the upper ear than that from the lower, 

 and generally more corn was produced. Only one stalk of the best lot was 

 found that bore two ears. These were saved, and in the spring of 1882 this, 

 together with several other lots, was planted in alternate rows in the same 

 manner and on the same ground as the year before. Although the season has 

 been very unfavorable, it has ripened, and on October 4th was examined, and 

 the results are given in the following tables:. 



The seed for the following experiments was grown in 1881 from an upper 

 ear: 



Ko. 

 of row. 



1 

 2 

 3 



4 

 5 

 6 



Seed from upper ear. No. of stalk with two ears. 



8, and 16 rudiments, bearing silk. 



0, and 13 " " 



l,and 9 " " " 



1, and 12 rudiments bearing silk. 

 1, and 7 " " 



1, and 9 " " " 



Seed for the next plat was grown on the College farm. 



Seeds rom lower ear. No. of stalks with two ears. 



1 2, and 22 rudiments with silk. 

 2 



0, and 14 " " 



3 



4 

 5 

 6 



0. and 12 



0, and 13 rudiments with silk. 



0, and 7 " " " 



0, and 6 " " " 



One row, the seed of which was crossed with pollen from a barren stalk, 

 has only six stalks. These have three good ears and one sucker with a nub- 

 bin. Why the seed failed in this row is not certainly known. Next to this 

 were two rows, the seed of which was fertilized by pollen from the stalk which 



