92 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



parent ear for each row planted, and the number of kernels 

 thereon, to know of the progress made. There is not a va- 

 riety of flint corn but can, by judicious selection and careful 

 treatment, be radically changed in length of ear, number and 

 shape of kernels and size and shape of cob, as well as number 

 of days required for maturity. 



Longfellow flint corn is a long, tapering, 8-rowed variety 

 from northern New York, yet a New Hampshire man, getting 

 seed from Mr. Longfellow direct, found in his crop that season 

 one ear of 12-rowed. This was planted by itself, and in five 

 years not an 8-rowed ear could be found. Selection will 

 modify or change any characteristics. We want to believe this, 

 and then go to work and add more kernels to the variety we 

 now have. To accomplish this there must be some system of 

 marking the more vigorous hills or stalks early in the season 

 if seed is taken from the field, and then following them until 

 ready to break. 



No ear should be saved unless the stalk is large at the ground, 

 tapering to the spindle, at least 8 feet tall, and carrying an 

 abundance of large, long leaves and at least one good ear set 

 close to .the stalk, never out on an arm. When husks are 

 dry one-third down, go through and break out the best ears, 

 later discarding all not uniform in shape and size and of de- 

 sired length. I like to hang these choice ears by themselves 

 in a shady place where there is plenty of air, or, if traced, to 

 put only five or six ears in a trace to hang until thoroughly 

 dried. From every angle the selfsame lesson is presented the 

 thinking grower. The power of blood in corn may easily be 

 seen in the prepotency of that old variety known as King 

 Philip. Generations after breaking with this once so popular 

 variety, the red cob and kernel, and peculiar shape of the old 

 favorite, will be met. So, also, with Canada early, though 

 not in as marked degree. 



If ever there is increase in yield, shape or size of kernel it 

 will be through the organizing power of the human brain, — 

 yours and mine. The great incentive for progress is a big 

 conception of what a man can do and the determination to 

 excel all past achievements. We want a clearer corn vision, 

 that there may follow greater enthusiasm for its realization. 



