155 



The yields of grain aud fodder for each plat are given in a table. 

 The average yield on the root-pruned plats was at the rate of 35 bushels 

 per acre, and on those not root pruned, 48J bushels. The average differ- 

 ence in yield per acre was 13i bushels of corn and one quarter ton of 

 fodder against root pruning. The difference in 3 ield was most marked 

 on those plats where the most root i)runing was done. 



This is a strong confirmation of previous observations, which had 

 shown the author that great injury is done to corn "by deep, close cult- 

 ure with the ordinary four-shoveled, two-horse corn cultivator, or with 

 the ' double-shovel ' plow. Plowing deep and close to the hills is harmful 

 at any time, but is especially so late in the season, as the larger roots, 

 developed late, as well as those which originated on the stalk earlier in 

 its development, are severed." In another experiment, performed just 

 as the corn was " laid by," two rows were root pruned 5 inches deep and 

 8 inches from the hill. Two rows were hilled up 4 iuches with a hoe, 

 and two other rows were left untouched. The tabular record shows that 

 no ap])arent effect was produced by the hilling, but that the root pruning 

 though slight, lowered the yield 3 bushels i)er acre, the average yield 

 of the root-pruned rows being 57 bushels per acre, and that of the rows 

 not pruned GO bushels. 



Brief statements are made regarding the best kinds of implements for 

 cultivating corn. " Some of the'shallow cultivators used at this sta- 

 tion the past season are more satisfactory than the common four-shov- 

 eled, two-horse corn cultivator. * * * The very best cultivator is 

 the smoothing harrow. It should be diligently used until the corn is 4 

 or 5 inches high." 



Corn improved by cross-fertilization and selection, W. M. 

 Hays, B. S. A (pp. 89-95). — During the past two seasons the writer has 

 made observations and experiments with reference to the best methods 

 of growing, cross-fertilizing, and selecting corn with a view to the de- 

 velopment of varieties especially suited to particular localities and uses. 

 This work is especially important in the region of the station, for "along 

 the northern edge of the corn belt no such clearly defined varieties are 

 found as farmers have developed in sections farther south where corn is 

 king." In 1888, as reported in Bulletin No. 7 of this station (See Ex- 

 ]ieriment Station Record, Vol. I, p. 97), ears of numerous varieties 

 were fertilized with pollen of otiier varieties, the ears being covered 

 with bags made of cloth or paper to prevent the access of pollen to the 

 *silk in the ordinary way. Examples of these experiments are di-seribed 

 to show how radically the form of the ear, kind of grain, etc., can be 

 changed by artificial fertilization and careful selection of seed. The 

 engraving printed in the bulletin represents some interesting results of 

 cross-fertilization, showing reversion to more or less remote ancestors. 



In 18S8 Mercer Yellow Flint was planted at the station not far from 

 Black Mexican sweet-corn ; at harvest one to several black grains were 

 found on several ears of the Mercer Flint; a dozen of these dark col- 



