52 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The figures illustrate clearly the wide range in two ears, not only in produc- 

 ing power, but also in their tendencies to reproduce inherited qualities. 



The following diagram shows the yield in bushels per acre of the ten 

 highest yielding rows in our breeding plats. The five lowest yielding rows 

 and the average of the entire one hundred and two breeding rows are also 

 shown: 



RECORD OF INDIVIDUAL EARS. 



Rows 



75 Yielded 90. oS bushels per acre. 



72 Yielded 87. 49 bushels per acre. 

 84 Yielded 87. 20 bushels per acre. 



92 Yielded 84. 11 bushels per acre. 

 77 Yielded 83. 03 bushels per acre. 

 25 Yielded 82.43 bushels per acre. 

 70 Yielded 81.14 bushels per acre. 

 64 Yielded 80.66 bushels per acre. 

 21 Yielded 80.36 bustiels per acre. 

 96 • Yielded 80.23 bushels per acre. 



FIVE LOWEST YIELDING VARIETIES. 



93 Yielded 36.06 bushels per acre. 



73 Yielded 36. 27 bushels per acre. 

 86 Yielded 42.31 bushels per acre. 



74 Yielded 42.38 bushels per acre. 

 80 Yielded 43.24 bushels per acre. 



The average of the ten highest yielding rows was 83.71 bushels per acre; 

 the average of the five poorest yielding rows was 40.05 bushels per acre. 

 The 102 rows grown yielded on an average 67.09 bushels. 



BREEDING PLATS. 



While it is not advisable to grow a large acerage of any new or untried 

 variety, the farmer should find out what varitety is best suited to his condi- 

 tions. This can be learned only by growing small plats of the most prom- 

 ising varieties. When the most suitable variety has been secured pure seed 

 should be obtained and the best ears planted on one side of the field. It is 

 preferable to have this breeding plat on the south or west side of the field, 

 that the prevailing winds may not carry pollen from the rest of the field on 

 to the breeding plat. 



If corn of another variety should be within a quarter of a mile of the 

 breeding plat, the varieties are liable to become mixed. In such a case the 

 breeding plat should be located as far from the other vai-ieties as possible, 

 or if no other protected place is to be had, the selected ears may be planted 

 in the central part of the field. When very little seed corn can be had it may 

 be planted in a block in one corner of the field, for if planted in long narrow 

 strips the pollenation is sure to be poor. 



This method of planting the choicest ears on one side of the field is an 

 easy and practical way of securing good corn for the following year. It 

 should be planted early enough to insure its ripening. The weak and bar- 

 ren stocks could easily be detasseled so that only the most vigorous pollen 

 would fertilize the silks. Even if the land received no special cultivation and 

 if the crop received no extra care the grower would know where to secure 

 his best seed ears and would be more likely to harvest them at the proper 



