FIXING THE TYPE 101 



to do this only by planting seed of that type and quality. 

 Nearly everyone desires to grow corn that yields well and is 

 of good qualit3^ To accomplish this result it is necessary 

 to select seed ears of the type known to give satisfactory 

 yields of the quality desired. 



If one has a variet}^ of corn that is larger than it is deemed 

 desirable to produce, the variety may be made smaller by 

 selecting ears of the desired size. On the other hand, if it is 

 thought advisable to increase the size of the corn, largei- 

 ears should be selected. Likewise, any character that is 

 desired may be fixed by persistently selecting every year 

 ears of corn having that character. 



126. Fixing the Type in Mind. One needs but to examine 

 an ordinary wagon box full of corn as it is picked to be con- 

 vinced that there are good and poor ears in every field. 

 Also, there are usually a number of good ears in dif- 

 ferent types in every lot of corn ; for instance, there may be 

 good ears of corn having twenty rows of kernels and other 

 good ears having only sixteen rows of kernels, all coming 

 from the same field or variety. In selecting seed corn it is 

 highly desirable that one have the desired type clearly in 

 mind and select to that type persistently. It is a good plan 

 to look over a large number of ears and pick out one that 

 is as near the ideal as possible. This ear should be examined 

 occasionally to keep clearly in mind the type sought. 



The Extension Division of the Iowa State College has 

 suggested four questions which should always be asked re- 

 garding each ear of corn selected. These questions are: (1) 

 Will it yield? (2) Will it mature? (3) Does it show im- 

 provement? (4) Will it grow? These four simple, practi-. 

 cal questions may easily be kept in mind and if all can be 

 answered affirmatively as to each ear of corn selected, it is 

 reasonably certain that the seed corn is good. 



127. Yield and Maturity. Indications of yield are size of 

 ear, depth of kernel, type of kernel, and proportion of corn 



