1907.] DISCUSSION. 137 



Mr. East. Not for any reason of yield but only on ac- 

 count of the plants varying from the normal in maturity. 



Mr. Beach. If you have corn of other varieties planted 

 near your plot you may find that that will make a little dif- 

 ference because you are more apt to get a cross from some 

 other variety on your tip from a butt kernel on account of 

 the difference in time of maturity. 



The President. Professor, have you ever investigated the 

 matter of whether the dent variety is worth less or more than 

 the flint for silage? 



Mr. East. No, I have never known of an analysis to be 

 made with that end in view. I have noticed though that it 

 has been found, so far as the composition of the corn was 

 concerned, that after eight years of breeding the ears have a 

 higher protein value than before. That is, the protein greatly 

 increased in the ears according to the opportunity which they 

 had for selection. 



A Member. What do you consider is the best variety of 

 corn, so far as the nutrient content is concerned ? I would like 

 to get your views on that matter. 



Mr. East. I would not dare make any suggestion on 

 such a thing as that. 



Mr. Platts. I would like to ask if some expression on 

 that matter could be brought out in a general way, and also 

 whether the mixing of the southern white would be considered 

 as having a tendency to increase the yield per acre? I have 

 known a great many western farmers that have the opinion 

 that in mixing it with the Leaming it would make it mature 

 very well, but that the stalk is a little dry. Wouldn't it there- 

 fore cut in better and make a better silage? 



Mr. East. I should say in mixing the first year there 

 Avould be practically no difference in the crop, but if you are 

 going to run a breeding plot I should prefer to take some 

 particular type and try to improve that rather than to make 

 too many crosses. Corn is a variable plant anyway, and there 



