330 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



highest yield. In dividing the ears of our several ear-row tests 

 into two lots comprised of those having kernels above average 

 length and a little below average we have found the yields of the 

 two lots to be practically identical. 



UNIFORMITY. 



Uniformity, or a reasonable degree of trueness to the type 

 determined upon, is quite essential to progress in corn improve- 

 ment. It should include height and habit of growth of plants; 

 height of ear, as well as size, shape, color and indentation of 

 kernels. 



This does not mean, however, that ideals are not subject to 

 change, as facts are discovered which necessitate revision. 



THINGS OF MINOR IMPORTANCE. 



In studying the data we have collected regarding the ears used 

 in our ear-row work for the last three years to see what light they 

 will turn upon score-card points, we find that in so far as number 

 of rows and number of kernels per seed ear is concerned, any 

 variation within ordinary limits is not at all significant. Sixteen, 

 eighteen and twenty-rowed ears appear to yield equally well. 



Regarding the effect of per cent, of grain of seed ear upon yield, 

 a medium to low per cent. (82.7 per cent.) has given a slightly 

 higher yield of shelled corn per acre than the ears ranking highest 

 (86.7 per cent, on the average) . 



Regarding indentation: Ears we have styled as medium — 

 those having nice creases in crown of kernel — have yielded quite 

 a little higher than the very rough dented ears. 



There has been little difference in yield found as between 

 cylindrical and moderately tapering ears, or between ears well 

 filled and capped, and those having a little bare cob. 



The protein content of seed ears has affected the yield but 

 little. On the average the high protein ears have led slightly. 



GERMINATION TEST. 



f 



I should probably say a few words regarding the relation of 

 the germination test to the improvement of the corn crop. There 

 is no one thing a corn grower can do that will mean as much in 

 the way of increased yields as to test the vitality of each individual 

 ear he proposes to use for seed. Our stands of corn plants are 

 everywhere much poorer than they should be and poorer than 



