io8 PLANT-BREEDING 



are manifestly of the highest value. Our discussion of the 

 different methods of improving cereals has for this reason 

 to be completed by an inquiry in how far and on what 

 points the principles discovered and elaborated in Europe 

 can advantageously be considered in the selection of this 

 dominant American crop. 



In the corn states the production of corn has for 

 some years attained its highest degree of development, 

 as far as its acreage is concerned. Almost all the land suit- 



Fig. 29. Breeding block of corn which has been bred for high oil content 

 on the farms of Funk Bros. Seed Co., Bloomington, 111. 



able for corn growing has been given to this crop. Locally, 

 some increase of the area may still be possible, but it is of 

 no real importance for the total amount of the crop. 



Hence, it follows that an increase of the harvest can be 

 obtained only by an augmentation of the yield per acre, 

 and since the demand for corn is incessantly increasing and 

 the prices are becoming correspondingly higher, the question 

 how to increase this yield has become a most urgent one. 

 The land values are constantly rising, and handsome profits are 

 possible, but to secure them better methods must be employed. 



