Plant- IjKeedixg for Farmers. 



145 



that corn is normally cross-fertilized and the breeding plot thus requires 

 to be isolated to prevent the injury of the select strain by crossing with 

 inferior plants. 



Corn-breeding has received very much attention from breeders in 

 recent years and several very complex methods have been devised for 

 conducting systematic work in improvement by selection. These 

 methods are rendered complex by the necessity of arranging the selected 

 individuals in such a way as to 'avoid self-fertilization and too close 

 inbreeding, and the consequent loss of vigor. The three methods most 

 generally used are those suggested by Dr. C. G. Hopkins and his asso- 

 ciates of the Illinois Sta- 

 tion, by Professor C. G. 

 Williams of the Ohio 

 Station, and by C. P. 

 Hartley of the U. S. De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 

 These methods are all 

 rather complex for use 

 in general, but when 

 once understood and in 

 actual operation, their 

 complexity disappears in 

 a measure. This, at least, 

 is the testimony of farm- 

 ers who have been actu- 

 allly engaged in the work 

 and put the methods in- 

 to operation, and the 

 writer can see no reason w^hy many farmers should not adopt some one of 

 these methods for their use. The method devised by Mr. Hartley is 

 probably the simplest method that takes into account the prevention of 

 too close inbreeding and is thus believed by the writer to be the best 

 method thus far devised for the general use of farmers. This is, therefore, 

 the only method described in this bulletin. If the farmer becomes a 

 special corn-breeder and wishes to conduct his work in the most scientific 

 way he should study the methods used by Professor Williams and Dr. 

 Hopkins. 



Soiuc important characters of corn. 



Probably the most important character to be considered in connec- 

 tion with corn-breeding in New York is the production of earlier 

 strains of good yieMing capacity. This is particularly true in the 

 case of dent varieties, the growth of which should be encouraged. 



hiG. 135. — IVcU-shapcd cylindrical ears of corn. 



