igb THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



(6) When properly matured, husk and weigh the ears from 

 each row separately under exactly uniform conditions. If the 

 progeny of a certain ear yields more maize than does either row 

 from another ear, it may be assumed that the former has the 

 superior hereditary force and that the greater yield was not the 

 result of environment, as, for example, better soil. 



(7) For next year's breeding plat, select twenty-five ears from 

 the progeny of a few of the best ears, say the best five ears. 

 It would probably not be safe to select all the ears from the 

 progeny of the best ear, as that would lead to very close breed- 

 ing. It wall also be desirable to arrange for as much crossing 

 as possible between ears of unlike parentage. Select the best 

 of what is left from the breeding plat for the field crop. The 

 breeding plat is to be continued indefinitely. 



266. Field Selection. — The usual method of obtaining seed is 

 to select ears from the regular field crop. There are three methods : 



(i) Selection of ears from the crib. 



(2) Selection of ears at the time of husking. 



(3) Selection of ears by passing through the field before 

 husking and while plants are still standing in the field. 



The reason for employing the second method over the first is 

 that the seed may be dried before low temperature has an oppor- 

 tunity to injure or destroy the vitality. The advantage of the 

 third method over the first is that it gives opportunity to observe 

 the character of stalk and leaves when selection is made. The 

 advantage of the second method is that it gives a wider range of 

 selection and makes more certain the finding of the best ears, 

 since every ear is handled. 



267. Field Seed and Breeding Plat Seed Compared. — The ad- 

 vantage of the breeding plat method of securing seed is that it 

 permits the selection of seed that has shown its ability to produce 

 the highest yield or the highest per cent of protein, as the case 

 may be, under substantially similar environment. Under field 

 selection it is not so certain that size of ear was not the result 



