CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION. 



97 



We then make our iirst selection of seed corn from the field rows 

 (each of which is the progeny of a separate single ear) on the basis 

 of performance record. Each of the twenty detasseled rows is carefully 

 examined. Some of them are discarded for seed purposes by simple in- 

 spection, and with some rows this decisitjn may be made early in the 

 growing season ; because, when each field row is planted from a separate 

 individual ear, that row has an individuality which in many cases is 

 very marked. It may show very imperfect germination (in the most 

 careful work the germinating power of each ear is ascertained before 

 planting), it may be of slow growth, produce small weak plants, or 

 numerous barren stalks. The plants may be tall and slender or very 

 thick and short. In one row the ears may be borne high on the stalks, 

 while in the adjoining row they may average one or two feet nearer 

 the ground. One rov/ may yield more than twice as much corn as an 

 adjoining row on the same kind of soil. As a matter of fact, when one 

 begins to breed corn by the row system (one seed ear to each row), he 

 is usually surprised to find that the plants in some rows are so very dif- 

 ferent from those in others, as will be seen from data from one of our 

 1901 breeding plot, which are given in Table 4. 



TABLE 4-PERFORMANOE RECORD OF BREEDING PLOT, 1901. 

 (Breeding for high protein.) 



We take no seed corn from a row which produces a large proportion 

 of imperfect plants, barren stalks, small ears or a low yield, even though 

 a few apparently good seed ears might be found in the crop which that 

 row yields. 



The points to be considered in the selection of the field rows, and 

 finally in the individual plants from which seed ears may be taken should 



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