8 



For seed the grain should be carefully examined as to (1) shape, 

 (2) uniformity or resemblance, (3) germ or viability, i. e., sprouting. 

 In seed corn it is important that the germ be large, sound, and well 

 developed. If a corn is desired which will produce a greater amount 

 of starch or of gluten or of oil, regard must be had to these points in 

 the selection. By selecting grains with very large hearts the oil and 

 protein content is increased. Those with a large amount of white 

 material viekl more starch. Grains can be selected to produce a corn 

 for general feed purposes, for meal or for hominy or breakfast food. 



It is well not only to have an ear of desired type, but also an car 

 which has grain of proper kind. By crossing the grain you desire on 

 the chosen type of ear, you can produce corn of desired shape and 

 composition of grain. The weight of the grain is an important item, 

 for in all the markets corn is sold by weight. 



If you have corn which belongs to a variety that you have known 

 for some time as a good sound corn, I would prefer this for seed 

 to any striking ear which might appear as a new type. Give the new 

 type a trial for another season, and do not rely upon it for your gen- 

 eral crop until you have learned whether it is a desirable type or only 

 a freak. A horse which is of a known breed of fine quality is pref- 

 erable for a breeder to one that may appear finer, but has no pedigree 

 behind him. 



One corn growers' association in Ohio reports that while a cylindri- 

 cal ear is the best individual specimen, the tapering ears yield the 

 greatest amount of corn per acre. 



You have selected your seed or, rather, perhaps, chosen the lot of 

 corn (one bushel or more) which you will use for this purpose. 

 Choose the ear that seems to you to most nearly resemble the picture in 

 table which you think is the type you desire. Now compare each 

 other ear with this one. This can be done by placing a number of 

 ears along a plank or table and putting the type-ear by each in turn. 

 Put aside those that are approved, plant these in the same plat, putting 

 some of the seemingly much desirable in separate rows, each ear to 

 itself. 



Perhai)s in your lot of corn there are some ears different from 

 the first choice. Take one of these of a distinct character and use it to 

 select others, and plant this lot in a diiferent plat from the first, and 

 see which gives best results as to quantity and quality of corn. 



On account of the variety of soil and climate in North Carolina, 

 no one variety of corn will be found that is best for the entire State. 

 Experience alone will prove the vest variety for each locality — the 



