SECRETARY'S REPORT. 73 



which yield a small crop but a sure one, or tlie later varieties, 

 which are not so sure but are more productive. Perhaps the 

 early varieties may admit of an after crop. No grain can 

 be sown after the late varieties, but after the early Canada is 

 gathered, grass and several kinds of grain might be profitably 

 sown for next year, and get along out of the way of winter inju- 

 ries. The great desideratum with Indian corn in this latitude 

 is, to increase its precocity witliout diminishing its productive- 

 ness ; this may be done by hybridization or mixture of selected 

 varieties, and watching for those which are accidental. And 

 we want yet to learn the difference, if any, of the cultivation 

 demanded by the different varieties, as well as the chemical and 

 economical characters of more of them. 



The varieties are owing, as already stated, in part to differ- 

 ence of climate, culture, and soil, but especially to selection, 

 and to mixing of the pollen of different kinds called hybridi- 

 zation. 



By examining the characteristics of the different varieties of 

 corn, one can determine what kinds have been mixed to make 

 up any specimen he has, and how to get it back, or to change it 

 to such a mixture as he wishes for any properties or purpose ; 

 or he can, by selecting and planting, begin such a mixture as 

 he wants, for it is only necessary to plant two kinds near each 

 other to have them mixed, and in a few years one can get just 

 what he pleases. The long cobs of the big yellow and white may 

 more than make up for the shortening the grains of the gourd 

 seed, and so the mixture, which should always be made under 

 favor of a climate which will ripen it, will be even more produc- 

 tive than the original gourd seed. The little yellow and white 

 should be mixed with the gourd seed for short climates. One, 

 fact should, however, be known. Northern corn, it is said, will 

 improve in size and productiveness if removed southwards, but 

 southern corn taken to the north will either not ripen, or soon 

 degenerate. 



The change in color, &c., of Indian corn from admixture is 

 generally gradual ; we first see scattering, slightly marked look- 

 ing grains, resembling those from which the mixing pollen has 

 come. By taking care not to plant mixed grains, rejecting all 

 such as seed, and to plant all of one kind together, these mix- 

 tures and varieties may be prevented, and the desirable, clear, 



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