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Report or Work In Corn POoLuINATION. 
By M. L. FisHeEr. 
The work here reported was done during the season of 1908. A series 
of six studies was carried out in duplicate, as follows: 
a. To determine period necessary for pollination in the field. 
b. To determine the best condition of silks for pollination. 
ce. To determine time of day when pollination takes place most 
actively. 
d. To determine the result of crossing with pollen from a variety of 
a different color or race. 
e. To determine the vitality of pollen grains. 
f. To determine the effectiveness of hand pollination. 
All prospective ears were covered with paper bags before the silks 
appeared. Where hand pollination was performed, an umbrella was held 
over the shoot and to the windward while it was uncovered. Only the 
” 
results obtained from “td” and ‘e”’ will be reported upon at this time. In 
all but ‘“‘b,” the silks used were three inches or more in length and in fresh 
condition. 
The work under ‘‘d’” was divided into four parts: d'. The silks of 
Reid’s Yellow Dent, a yellow variety, were pollenized with pollen from 
Boone County White, a white variety. Fairly well filled ears were ob- 
tained. The kernels had yellow bodies and almost uniformly whitish 
crowns. A few kernels were yellow throughout. The character of the 
kernel and ear, other than color, was uninfluenced. 
dad. The silks of Reid’s Yellow Dent were pollenized with pollen from 
Stowell’s Evergreen, a sweet corn, whitish in color and having wrinkled 
kernels when mature. Fairly well filled ears were obtained, but the char- 
acter of the ear and kernel was unchanged. The only variation noticeable 
was a somewhat broader kernel, but such variation might occur without the 
effect of crossing. 
ad’. Reid’s Yellow Dent was pollenized with pollen from a speckled 
variety. None of the kernels was speckled. A. few had whitish crowns. 
Otherwise no change. 
[10—21363 ] 
