136 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



Mr. Platts. As the protein content of the corn is in- 

 creased what effect does that have upon the carbo-hydrates 

 in the grain? 



Mr, East. They decrease, because if they did not you 

 would be getting more dry matter in your corn, and which, 

 of course, is impossible. 



A Member. Would you advise the detasseling of the stalk 

 that you expect to take the seed from? 



Mr. East. Yes, I think you may rest assured, by doing 

 that, that you have the best seed. If you take your seed from 

 plants, or from a plant which is tasseled, you cannot at all be 

 sure that there will not be some of it which has been pollenized 

 in breeding from that seed. 



The President. What is the process of examination? 



Mr. East. In order to detassel a breeding plot, it must be 

 gone over about three times. It should be pulled out in the 

 upper portion, separated at the first joint, and when that is 

 done at the proper time no injury results at all to the stalk, 

 but if the detasseling is done at an improper time there may 

 be some injury. Some fungus may injure the plant and reduce 

 the yield, but otherwise there is no reduction in the yield when 

 the tassel is pulled out at the right stage. 



Mr. Platts. You want to be sure then to cut it before 

 there is any appearance of pollen, as I understand you ? 



Mr. East. Yes. 



A Member. In making your selection of corn do you 

 select the large ears in preference to the medium? 



Mr. East. I usually select an ear that will give the 

 greatest amount per acre, and at the same time the largest 

 digestible nutrient per acre. I do not care particularly whether 

 an ear is a handsome ear or not. There is something to be 

 gained in the selection of ears whose physical characteristics 

 are good. 



Secretary Brown. Do you think it is a good practice to 

 shell off the corn from the tips and reject that in selecting 

 seed? 



