EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 275 



of the grains failed to germinate in the cold, wet soil, and the 

 crop was decidedly inferior tO' the later lot. This is easily seen 

 •from the samples shown in the plate. If the yellow seed had been 

 planted in place of the white, and vice versa, the results, probably, 

 would have been, in favor of the white, for it is not likekly that 

 there is a correlaton between the color of the grain and any hardi- 

 ness of the kernel or plant issuing therefrom. The flint or 

 wrinkled nature of the grain is quite a different matter, as in this 

 instance the hardiness of the grain withstands unfavorable con- 

 ditions far better than the soft, sweet grain, and the former may 

 live through a cold, wet period after planting, when the wrinkled 

 ones would rot. It is on this account that such early table sorts 

 as the "Adams" are planted as a first crop. 



Corn Upon the "Strips." 



As before stated, the Department has an acre of land in three 

 long strips that extend across a large field. At the ends and 

 across the middle of each of these strips, plots of corn are planted 

 for isolation; first, nine early maturing sets, and close by these 

 nine plots shortly after, as many later maturing crosses are 

 planted, thus giving isolation more or less complete to eighteen 

 small plots of corn. 



The "Adams-Crosby" Cross (2/20). 



From blend ears that last season bore three-fourths flint and 

 one-quarter sweet grains, the former were selected and planted 

 May 8th in Plot i upon the "Strip." Considering the backward 

 season, this plot of sixty (4x15) hills made a good growth that 

 in no small part was due to the flinty nature of the grains that 

 are thereby able to resist the cold and wet of the prolonged bad 

 spring weather. The first harvest of ripe ears was made upon 

 August 31st, or one hundred and five days from planting.. It 

 was noted in the record that these early ears were very closely of 

 the "Adams" type. Upon September nth, nine other ears were 

 ripe and secured, and these also were nearly all solid dent. At 

 the first harvest only the best ears were selected for study and 



