4 1 2 



THE FARMERS' HANDBOOK. 



when it is sown in the following season. The best ears to select in the field 

 are those of good or moderate size, which have been produced under normal 

 or even adverse conditions in the field. 



Plants winch produce a large ear in comparison with the size of stalk 

 stitute a valuable basis for the improvement of the grain yield of any 

 variety. 



Selection for two or more cars per stalk is not likely to give increased 

 yields, unless the first ear is up to normal size ; otherwise there is the danger 

 of merely increasing the number of ears per stalk and reducing the average- 

 size of the ears. 



Types of Ears, showing — 1, husk open and much of the ear exposed 



to insect and fungus attack ; 2, tip exposed ; 



3. a well-covered ear. 



.Stalks with one or two suckers have been regarded, curiously enough, as* 

 undesirable in field selection, but our experience shows that they should not 

 always be rejected. .Some varieties sucker more freely than others, and in 

 some cases, especially on rich soils, it might he difficult to select ears only from 

 suckerless stalks. There is no reason why stalks bearing good eais should not 

 be selected, even though they have suckers. 



In tall-growing, late varieties on the coast, where the stalks are sometimes 

 r_' feet or more in height, ears should be selected that are growing at a 

 moderate height from the ground, as high ears render harvesting more difficult' 

 and induce lodging, both of which result in an increase in the cost o£ 

 harvesting, while the latter also diminishes the yield. 



