FROM GRAIN TO EAR. 67 



nearly spherical, oval, elongated; it may possess a flat point 

 or a dented extremity, or be furnished with a shai-p tooth, 

 either straight or recurved ; it may be shaped like a horse's 

 tooth, or be flattened ; be longer than broad or broader than 

 long ; may l)o smooth or wrinkled. In color the kernel may 

 be white, i)ale yellowy translucent, dark yellow, orange yel- 

 loAv, reddish yellow, red, violet, purple, blue slate, black or 

 variegated. In texture it may be liard or brittle, soft and 

 granular, and in some varieties almost gummy. Some weigh 

 sixty-four pounds to the bushel, others fifty-six pounds or 

 less." (Beal 1880, p. 281.) 



In order to better comprehend the nature of our subject, it 

 is necessary to look into the anatomy and physiology of the 

 corn-plant, and trace, though briefly, its development from 

 the planted grain to the ripened ear. When examined care- 

 fully, a kernel of corn is found to consist of a mass of starch 

 and an embryo, both of which are packed closely together 

 and inclosed in a protective covering. The embryo or 

 " chit," as it is commonly called, is the vital portion of the 

 grain and is a rudimentary plant, occupying a portion of the 

 base of the kernel and extending upward nearly half way to 

 the crown. When this chit is destroyed, as it frequently is 

 by mice, rats and other vermin, the kernel .becomes lifeless 

 and worthless for planting. The embryo Is alwnys on 

 the side towards the apex of the ear, and is the soft- 

 est and most delicate portion — the part that children 

 often separate from the kernel and eat, because sweet 

 and tender. After the grain is placed in the soil 

 under the favorable conditions of heat, moisture and air, 

 it undergoes the process of germination. The young plant- 

 let soon begins to enlarge in all its parts and, l)rcaking the 

 seed covering it, sends a number of roots downward into the 

 soil, while the young stem elongates, the leaves pierce 

 through the earth, and in a few days unfold in the air and 

 sunshine. As the days pass, the roots increase in number 

 and length, and by penetrating the soil in all directions in 

 quest of food, they firmly anchor the growing stalk to the 

 spot of earth that has been allotted to ii. During the early 

 life ot the plantlet, it was supported by the suhstanccj stored 

 up in the neighboring portion ot the kernel. The starch 



