72 BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



After the time of ilowering is passed the further work of the 

 corn-plant is to develop the young germ of each kernel into- 

 the embryo plantlet, and to provide it with the necessary 

 fooil for its future growth. The substance that has been as- 

 similated by the green leaves flows to the growing ear, and 

 each grain receiving its portion passes through the soft, 

 plump, " milk" state into the glazed and hard condition of 

 matuiity. The whole plant has then finished its work, and 

 death follows naturally, or is hastened by untimely frosts. 

 The cycle in the life of the corn-plant is complete. It wa& 

 first the phinted grain, then the blade, then the ear, and then 

 the full corn in the ear. 



The average yield per acre of the maize grown in the 

 United States is not far from thirty bushels, while the largest 

 crop has exceeded two hundred bushels of shelled corn. In 

 this instance the land was in a high state of cultivation, beings 

 thoroughly underd rained, closely planted, highly manured, 

 and cared for in the best possible manner. This maximum 

 crop is not held up as the most profitable one for all farmers^ 

 to grow, but simply to indicate the possibilities of this re- 

 markable grain. It doubtless would not pay most farmers to 

 bend all their energies to the obtaining of such a yield, be- 

 cause there is probably a point, far short of two hundred 

 bushels per acre, where it costs more to produce a bushel 

 than the increase is worth. Just where that point is depends 

 upon many circumstances and varies with the farm and the 

 farmer ; but it is safe to say that under the present conditions 

 of our agriculture it is far above the average yield of thirty 

 bushels. 



Much may be done to improve the quality and increase th& 

 yield of our corn by a thorough and systematic selection of 

 seed. It is not enough to plant plump grain separated from 

 the small ones by a sieve. The work of selection should 

 begin while the plants are growing, choosing those stalks that 

 are of vigorous growth and furnish the best quality of fodder. 

 They should be well eared ; but this does not mean that the 

 larger the number the better the plant. One fine ear ia 

 preferable to several small ones. Two good ears may be 

 better than either. 



The ears need to be well formed, and small at the butt^ 



