198 NEW JERSEY STATE AGRICULTURAL 



prolonged drought and make a growth of stalk, leaf and ear that 

 far exceeded that of the ordinary sweet kinds grown under the 

 same unfavorable circumstances.' 



There was considerable variation in size of stalk and time of 

 reaching maturity and, therefore, by using the method of detas- 

 seling and labeling, the earlier and otherwise most desirable 

 plants were selected for future improvement of the cross. The 

 tendency to produce twuns was quite evident and, as the stalks 

 are large enough to bear them, these twin ears have been saved 

 in the hope of making two-eared stalks the rule with this type of 

 corn. 



The ears themselves, as might be expected, are of large 

 diameter for their length which is true of the "Stowell," and the 

 "Silver Mine" is not unlike it. Both parents have long kernels 

 and the cross is remarkable for smallness of cob and a corres- 

 ponding depth of grain. A test of the quality showed that the 

 hope of a high-grade corn is realized. 



As previously stated, one of the practical points sought in this 

 cross was an added vigor to the whole plant and it is evident 

 that this is secured without sacrifice of quality. As it now 

 stands, the ear is handsome and the grain long and rich but it re- 

 mains to be shown that, by breeding with early sorts, this hardy 

 type of plant can be combined with further speed in bringing the 

 crop to table maturity. 



In the upper half of Plate II, five ears are shown, the two 

 united by their husks being from the same plant and not quite as 

 mature as the others. There would have been much greater 

 uniformity in appearance if the photograph had been taken when 

 the grains were all equally dried. 



"lOWA SILVER MINE-COUNTRY GENTLEMAN" CROSS (144-I9). 



There were two blocks of this cross, each consisting of forty- 

 five hills, one planted with grains from a zigzag ear that showed 

 a beautiful pink tint upon each kernel, the other with grains from 

 two white zigzag ears — the importance of this cross warranting 

 the greater space that was given to it. The method of securing 

 this combination is the same as that given for the preceding 

 cross. 



Here the plants showed the vigor that, under the circum- 

 stances of a poor soil and a dry season, makes all the difference 

 between a good crop and a failure. Alongside of both the blocks 

 ni question, an equal number of hills of an early sort were grown 

 and the contrast between the two was great in the extreme. 



