STRUCTURE OF MAIZE 157 



due to the hull, which is translucent and merely transmits the 

 color from the enclosed material. In blue, purple and black of 

 the soft and sweet types the color has been shown to be in the 

 aleurone layer.^ In the case of the red color often occurring in 

 dent varieties the color is in the hull, as can readily be seen 

 upon its removal. This colored hull may overlie a yellow or a 

 white endosperm. The continued appearance of red ears in 

 yellow or white varieties of dent maize, although such ears are 

 seldom used for seed, is an interesting phenomenon not yet 

 satisfactorily explained, although sometimes claimed to be due 

 to atavism. By selection the red color may become fixed. 



There is no evidence that color affects composition or feeding 

 quality. White varieties are more common in the southern 

 portion and the yellow varieties are more common in the north- 

 em portion of the United States. The Mississippi Station in 

 1895 compiled the yields of white and yellow varieties at seven 

 stations in the central and southern Mississippi Valley. In 

 1,267 tests with 490 varieties, the average yield of 217 white 

 varieties was found to be 2.5 bushels per acre in excess of the 

 yield of 273 yellow varieties. At only one of the stations 

 (Indiana) have the yellow varieties given the better yield. 



"In connection with the tabulation of the records of com yields at different 

 stations a careful examination was made of the reported yields of wheat and oats, 

 and, without going into details, it may be stated that in both the white varieties 

 fcave given the heavier yields." 2 (^SG) 



This difference in the case of maize is probably due to the 

 more southern origin and later maturity of the white varieties as 

 compared with the yellow varieties rather than to any inherent 

 influence due to color. 



230. Abnormal Growths. — The maize plant is subject to 

 numerous abnormal changes. Among these may be mentioned 

 tassel grains, one or more ears at nodes of branch in addition 



1 Webber, H. J.: U. S. Dept. of Agr., Div. of Veg. Phys. and Path. Bui. 22. 

 S Miss. BuL S3 (1895), p. 69. 



