310 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



another only a germ for the root, which always comes first, or an 

 embryo stem and an embryo root, which virtually means only a 

 germination of GG 2-3 per cent., because a grain that produces only 

 an embryo root can not produce a stalk, and one that produces only 

 a stem, if it makes a stalk at all, will be weak and will produce, if 

 any ear, a nubbin. Suppose grains in square No. 8 all produce both 

 germs, but two of them are small and sickly and have low vitality, 

 whirl), under the best conditions will produce only a weak plant, 

 which will yield but a nubbin. (Here we are getting on the track 

 of the nubbin-producer.) None of the corn of the above indicated 

 ears should be planted; in fact, only ears having a germination of 

 94-05 per cent, should be planted. Beginning with such a corn, 

 under normal conditions we have the assurance of a good stand of 

 strong and vigorous plants. After this germinating test 20, 30 or 

 40 ears which have given the highest per cent, of germination and 

 are good specimens of the type of corn adapted to the soil and 

 climatic conditions, should be selected for a seed corn breeding plot 

 and only corn from one ear should be planted in one row and no 

 other and the row numbered one. The corn of ear No. 2 should 

 be planted in row two and no other; corn of ear No. 3 in row three; 

 the corn of No. 4 in row four, etc., until the breeding plot is as large 

 as may be desired. 



Here we have a chance to observe the ears and have a performance 

 record of every one, and in this way eliminate all that will keep 

 down the yield. I have here a nubbin. If that nubbin is produced 

 because of some ancestral weakness, the likelihood is that if it 

 were possible for me under the old system of seed testing or plant- 

 ing or without testing, as most farmers do, to find the brothers of 

 that nubbin, they would be nubbins also. If it were possible under 

 similar conditions to find the brothers of that ear only one-third of 

 which has grains, due to imperfect pollinization, because of the 

 late production of silk, which may be an ancestral weakness, I would 

 find that they too are race suicides. If it were possible to find the 

 ancestors of the barren stalks in our corn field we would then dis- 

 cover a family weakness which gave it a tendency toward that sort 

 of thing. But by the process I have indicated we place ourselves 

 in a position to eliminate all those weaknesses in so far as they are 

 due to seed and heredity. Suppose in row number one produced 

 by ear No. 1 there are 25 per cent, barren stalks, which is not a 

 high estimate, for as high as 40 per cent, have frequently been 

 found. Will we select seed corn from that row? Not if we know 

 our business. And are we not in position to eliminate the barren 

 stalk? Suppose in row number two we have a large number of 

 nubbins, reducing the percentage in yield maybe one-half. Will we 

 select seed corn from that row? And are we not in a position to 



