66 



MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



variations by crossing with another strain than by inbreeding and selec- 

 tion. For this reason I think Mr. Kurtz will increase the length of the 

 white corn faster by crossing and selection than by inbreeding and 

 selection. 



Mr. Ellis — Variation is just the thing we want to avoid and true- 

 ness to type is the thing most desired, and for that reason we had better 

 keep our variety pure and we will then have a reasonable assurance that 

 the good qualities of the parent will be reproduced. 



THE CHEMISTRY OF CORN. 



(Dr. R. M. Bird. Agricultural College.) 



In speaking to an audience upon a chemical subject great difficulties 

 are met with by reason of the fact that chemistry demands the use of a 

 large number of technical terms of which the average man would not be 

 expected to know the meaning; and futhermore, the subject is so ex- 

 tremely broad that it is well nigh impossible to make much out of it 

 during the few minutes which are allowed me this evening. Therefore, 

 I shall attempt to deal with a very few compounds that occur in the 

 corn and a very few processes which go on during the period of growth. 

 Only the high places can be touched, and tliese very lightly. 



The corn plant is a machine of the most delicate and complicated 

 construction by means of which the farmer transforms certain raw 



I'AICTS or (JKAIN OK CORN. 



