24 The Bulletin. 



The characters that should be taken into account in the improve- 

 ment of corn by selection are : 



(1) Selection of ears from stalk bearing two O"^ more ears, as it has 

 been demonstrated time and again that a variety that bears two 

 medium-sized ears per stalk will generally give higher yields of shelled 

 corn per acre than a variety bearing one large ear to the stalk. 



(2) The stalk should be large at the base and tapering gradually 

 towards the tassel, for two reasons: First, because it will be better 

 enabled to withstand drought, and, second, because it will stand up 

 better in wind-storms. 



(3) The ears should by all means be of a cylindrical form, with 

 both butts and tips filled out, as this is the form that gives the highest 

 percentage of yield of shelled corn per ear, other things being equal. 



(4) The best-shaped kernel is a medium wedge, as this fills out the 

 space on the cob most completely. Also, the distance between the 

 rows of grains should be small, while the number of rows should be 

 large and run parallel the full length of the cob, with little or no 

 diminution in size, either at the butts or tips. The percentage of 

 grains should be from 80 to 90 and should be held rigidly by the cob. 

 It should also possess a high (90 to 95 per cent.) germinating power 

 and great resisting power to disease and insect ravages. 



It should be kept clearly in mind that, with varieties of corn, selec- 

 tion should be made particularly with reference to total yield of 

 shelled corn and the characters which tend to give this and an im- 

 proved quality of grains. If it is to be used in feeding growing 

 animals, or to be ground into meal for human consumption, it should 

 be high in flesh and muscle-forming material (protein) ; if for fat- 

 tening stock, high in fat, and if to manufacture whiskey, alcohol or 

 starch, high in starch, sugar, etc. (carbohydrates). 



SOURCES OF VAEIETIES OF COEN TESTED. 



The seed used in the variety test of corn at the Edgecombe and 

 Statesville farms this year were obtained from the following sources : 



American Queeu R. P. Dalton, Danville, Va. 



Boone County White (Indiana) . .Bureau of Plaut Industry, Washington, D. C. 

 Boone County White (Tennessee) .Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. 

 Boone County Special (Illinois) . .Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. 



Bralve's .Toe L. Brake, Rocky ]\Iouut, N. C. 



Cocke's Prolific Edgecombe Test Farm, Rocky Mount, N. C. 



Cocke's Prolific (Tennessee) Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. 



Craig's Prolific White W. R. Craig, Waxhaw, N. C. 



Currituck Thomas Wooten. Statesville, N. C. 



Eureka T. W. Wood & Sons. Richmond, Va. 



Hickory King A. O. I>ee. Bartee, Va. 



Hickory King (Tennessee) Bureau of Plant Industry. Washington. D. C. 



Holt's Strawberry T. W. Wood & Sons, Richmond. Va. 



Iowa Silver :\Iine' (Illinois) Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. 



Learning Yellow (Oliio) Bureau of Plant Industry. Washington, D. C. 



Marlboro Prolific (S. C.) Bureau of Plant Industry. Washington, D. C. 



