72 INDIAN COKN. 



erly blended together, an animal selection of the seed, 

 with care and time, will render them subject to very- 

 little injurious change. They do not mix minutely, 

 like wine and water. On the contrary, like mixed 

 breeds of animals, a large portion of the valuable prop- 

 erties of any one of them, or of the whole, may be 

 communicated to one plant ; while the inferior prop- 

 erties of one or the whole may be nearly grown out. 

 When this object is obtained, and we become ac- 

 quainted with the proper arrangement of the plants 

 in our fields, so as to promote the utmost product, the 

 crops of maize will by far exceed any estimate which 

 would at this time be considered probable by those 

 who have not carefully examined the economy of this 

 plant." 



To hybridize this cereal successfully does not re- 

 quire in the farmer any peculiar or unusual faculty ; it 

 is not the exclusive privilege of genius, nor the mo- 

 nopoly of gifted minds ; but depends for success upon 

 the plainer and more useful qualities of judgment, 

 patience, and careful attention. A few leading prin- 

 ciples are important to be observed, and those who 

 may be inclined to undertake the propagation of new 

 varieties, may perhaps find the following hints of some 

 service : 



1. Determine what precise traits or properties you 

 intend the new corn to possess. 



2. In selecting the sorts from which to propagate, 

 prefer such as have these desired properties distinctly 

 marked and predominating, with as few other promi- 

 nent qualities as possible. 



