CORN growers' association. 39 



can be much enhanced in value for these particular purposes by having 

 its composition fit the requirements, and there now exists a marked de- 

 mand for varieties of corn having these different characteristics. 



It will be understood that whatever system of breeding is followed 

 a propagating field or plot will be provided for growing the seed from 

 the breeding plot in large quantities. This plot is planted with the 

 best of the ears remaining from the choice rows or blocks, as the case 

 may be, after the final selection for the next year's breeding has been 

 made. This plot varies in size from two to several acres and not only 

 furnishes a means of supplying large quantities of the improved seed, 

 but also gives opportunity for testing on a large scale the character and 

 yield of the corn produced in the breeding plot. Various methods are 

 employed regarding the management of this propagating plot, but they 

 difi^er little in important details. It will readily be seen that such a plot 

 is necessary, that quantities of the seed be produced, and since it is 

 supplied each year from the product on the breeding plot of the previous 

 year it is only one year removed, and the character of the corn will be 

 approximately, that of the breeding plot itself. 



The plan of crossing com by artificial pollination is being practiced 

 at various stations in the process of forming new varieties. The tas- 

 sels of the stalk which it is desired to use as a male parent and the ear 

 of the female stalk are carefully covered with cloth bags until time for 

 pollination arrives when the pollen from the male is transferred to the 

 silks of the female thus controlling accurately both parents and fer- 

 tilizing the new ear with pollen from a plant of known characters. The 

 method offers much to scientific corn breeders in the forming of new 

 varieties since it is thus possible to cross two ears of very high protein 

 or oil content or of very high yield, or of very desirable stalks and know 

 that kernels on the yoimg ear will probably each produce plants of 

 characters which blend those of the parents. It will be seen, of course, 

 that this operation is suited to breeders who have time and means to 

 devote to it and is not for the practical man. 



Aside from the mere matter of breeding, some of the stations are 

 doing much of a practical nature by disseminating knowledge of the 

 methods of corn improvement among the farmers and encouraging them 

 in every way to take up the matter of improving this cereal. One fea- 

 ture of this work which offers much in Missouri is that of co-opera- 

 tive work between the station and the farmers. This can be made espe- 

 cially practical in the testing the varieties to determine those suited to 

 each locality. It has been abundantly proven that particular soils and 

 localities require particular kinds or varieties of corn for best results 



