THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II. 83 



erally handled with the scoop shovel and is known as the "scoop shovel 

 method of selection." 



The chances are that the farmer has in his own crib better corn than 

 that which he purchases from seedsmen at four or five times the market 

 price. And then he runs the additional risk that it will not mature in 

 his locality. 



TRY WELL-BRED VARIETIES ON A SMALL SCALE. 



The result of much careful work shows us that the corn plant can be 

 bred up and the desirable qualities fixed, so that they will be reproduced 

 in the succeeding crops. Some careful breeders have spent many years 

 giving attention to this point and the result of their work is shown in the 

 good qualities possessed by many of the standard varieties. Corn growers 

 ought to take advantage of this valuable work and secure seed to plant 

 an acre or so. In many cases there may be considerable immaturity in 

 the first year's crop, yet only those ears which mature 'most perfectly 

 should be selected for the following crop. If this plan of selection is re- 

 peated, year after year, corn is grown which is well adapted to the lati- 

 tude and conditions in which it is raised. In this way the farmer will 

 be able to get the improved variety which has become acclimated and 

 the danger of loss from immaturity will be overcome to a very large 

 degree, while the desirable qualities, the result of years of breeding, will 

 t»e retained. 



PURCHASE SEED CORN ONLY IN THE EAR. 



In securing seed the factor of the greatest importance is the pur- 

 chase of that corn which will give the largest yield per acre and of the 

 best quality. The acre is the unit in corn production and therefore that 

 seed is best which gives the largest yield per acre. Hence the important 

 question for the farmer who must purchase seed corn this year, is not 

 one of cost but of quality. It will prove far more profitable to pay three 

 or four dollars for a bushel of seed corn which will germinate well, and 

 insure an even stand and a large yield than to accept an inferior grade, 

 although the first cost be exceedingly low. 



These two rows of kernels were taken from two different ears. Judging from 

 outward appearances of the ears, little or no difference in their values could be discovered. 

 The ears from which these two rows of kernels were taken were almost exactly the same 

 size, yet ear No. 2 weighed 16 per cent more than ear No. 1, and shelled out SJOJjj per cent 

 more corn than ear No. 1. Ear No. 1 is not only very much poorer in feeding value than 

 No. 2, but has a much lower vitality and gives a weaker plant. 



It is very important that the tips of the kernels— the portion next to the cob— should be 

 full and plump so that there is no space between the kernels down near the cob. In 

 selecting our seed corn, it is important that we should do more than look at the ears; we 

 must study the kernels. 



