152 * BULLETIX 251. 



Dcfcnuiiiatioii of the most productizr roivs. 



As soon as the corn is ripe enough to harvest, the different rows should 

 be harvested separately and the product carefully weighed. The ears 

 which have been previously selected from each row should also be weighed 

 and the total product of each row determined. Having now the total 

 product of each row and the number of stalks per row, the average yield 

 per stalk can be determined by dividing the yield per row by the number 

 of stalks that grew in the row. In rows which have nearly a perfect 

 stand this gives a fairly reliable estimate of the comparative yield. If the 

 stand of certain rows is much broken they will have to be thrown out of 

 the calculation. If all of the rows are much broken in stand, no reliable 

 data can be obtained as to the comparative yield and the breeder will 

 have to depend on his judgment. 



The average row production is a test of the transmitting power of the 

 ears selected in the first generation and the heavy yielding rows are thus 

 the ones from which the selections for the further breeding should be 

 taken. At some convenient time the selections made from the breeding- 

 plot sliould be laid out on tables and carefully examined. Those which 

 are taken from rows which were found to be low yielders should be dis- 

 carded. 



All of tlie selections finally retained should be from the ten or twelve 

 highest yielding rows. Examine all of the ears in detail and finally 

 retain about the same number as were selected the first year. These 

 sliould then l)e numbered with the row number and individual selection 

 number in accordance with the system previously outlined (p. 142) and 

 notes recorded similar to those made on the first generation ears. The 

 progeny or row yields should also be recorded. The ears after shell- 

 ing off the poor kernels at apex and butt can be shelled and preserved 

 in separate sacks ready for planting the breeding-plot the next year. 



•It is a good policy after selecting all of the ears for planting to retain 

 a number of tlic second select ears as a safeguard against any accidental 

 loss of those planted and also to serve as types of the selection. 



The selection of the ' ears from the breeding-patch is continued each 

 succeeding year as above outlined so that the method is one of continuous 

 connected breeding and should supply seed of a gradually increasing 

 efficiency. 



The mnUipUcation-plot of corn. 



In order to obtain seed from the highly bred stock for planting the 

 general crop it is necessary to plant a multiplication or increase-plot. 

 To i^lant this plot take for seed the best remaining ears from the de- 

 tasseled portion of the highest yielding rows after the select breeding 



