U^ tHE SOILS AND CKOPS 0%' THE i^AllM, 



must grow down the length of each ovary that pro- 

 duces a kernel. Under the circumstances it is sur- 

 prising that there are so few undeveloped ears. 



The great quantity of pollen produced, and the ease 

 with which it is carried in the wind, accounts for the 

 readiness with which different varieties are cross- 

 fertilized, or, as 

 we say, mixed. 

 In some cases the 

 effect of the cur- 

 rent cross is ap- 

 parent; that is, 

 the pollen of one 

 variety so affects 

 the ovary of the 

 other variety as 

 to be plainly visi- 

 ble in the devel- 

 oped kernel. The 

 color is often af- 

 fected when yellow and white varieties are crossed. 

 Where sweet corn is crossed with other varieties 

 the current cross usually shows variation from 

 the female type, the result often being unlike 

 either parent. The general rule, however, is that the 

 current cross causes but little, if any, variation from 

 the female parent or variety producing the ear. Corn 

 raised from the result of the current cross generally 

 shows variation from the female parent. In some 

 cases the variations are striking. 



On account of the ease with which varieties cross 

 it is difficult to grow several varieties on one farm, or 

 in one neighborhood, and keep the varieties pure. It 



Eight Rowed. 



