316 LUTHER BURBANK 



agency of the wind, and the product is well 

 known under the name of "dog corn." 



In my own very extensive experiments with 

 teosinte, not the least difficulty was experi- 

 enced in effecting hybridization, after I had 

 succeeded in making the plant flower at the 

 right season. 



Left to itself, the plant in this part of Cali- 

 fornia does not bloom until after even the latest 

 varieties of corn are through blooming. It will 

 produce seed only in the southern part of Florida, 

 except some new varieties lately sent me from 

 the high mountains of Mexico, where it neces- 

 sarily had to adapt itself to a shorter season. I 

 was able, however, by starting the teosinte in the 

 greenhouse, and thus securing fine, large plants 

 to set out in May, and by placing these in 

 the hottest possible positions and fertilizing 

 them heavily, to cause the plant to bloom much 

 earlier. 



This was further facilitated by removing all 

 side shoots* so that the energies of the plant could 

 be centered on the production of pollen. 



My hybridizing experiments demonstrated 

 quite clearly enough the affinity of the teosinte 

 with the cultivated corn plant. They also were 

 aids in convincing me that this is without ques- 

 tion the parent of the cultivated plant. 



