CORX, WHEAT, OATS, BARLEY, RYE 



51 



This list is by no means complete but will serve as a guide in 

 placing other varieties which may be of local importance. 



Improvement of corn. — Each corn growing region of the 

 country has varieties wliicli are particularly adapted to that 

 region. For example, the prolific varieties which are tall and 

 very late, with more than one ear to the stalk are characteristic 

 of the Gulf States, while in New England rather short, early, 

 single eared varieties are grown. These differences have come 

 about very largely through selection by farmers, consciously 

 or unconsciously, and by the natural adjustment of the corn 

 plant to its environment. Due to this fact a farmer in choosing 

 a variety should always investigate the local sorts first.^ After 

 the local varieties have been thoroughly tested there are three 

 general methods open for improvement in corn: (1) introduc- 

 tion of varieties from outside sources; (2) selection within local 

 or introduced varieties; (3) crossing. 



Introduction of varieties from outside sources should not be 

 generally practiced because (1) the already confused condition 



