32 



varieties which we have under cultivation can with Uttle doubt be 

 improved in either of two directions, viz., in composition, or in capacity 

 for total yield of grain. 



Improvement in Composition. — Improvement in composition must 

 be made with reference to the use to which the crop is to be put. 

 Western growers have found it possible within a few generations of 

 seed to materially modify the composition of the grain. Their efforts 

 have been directed toward modification in three distinct directions: 

 (1) to increase the proportion of protein; (2) to increase the propor- 

 tion of starch ; (3) to increase the proportion of oil. 



An increase in the proportion of starch or in the proportion of oil is 

 desirable only if the corn is to be put to some special use. For the 

 manufacture of starch, glucose, alcohol or whiskey, the starch is of 

 course the important product, and a relatively starchy grain is most 

 valuable for these purposes. If the production of corn oil is one of 

 the important objects in view, then, of course, an increase in the pro- 

 portion of this constituent is desirable. Massachusetts is not likely to 

 produce corn for the manufacture of starch, glucose, alcoholic liquors or 

 oil ; the grain here will be used either as animal or human food. For 

 this use, an increase in the proportion of protein is desirable. Our 

 farmers at the present time expend a large amount of money annually 

 in the purchase of stock foods rich in protein. If we could increase 

 the proportion of protein in corn by even a few per cent, it would 

 greatly diminish the necessity for such outlay. That such an increase 

 in the amount of protein is possible can hardly be doubted. The 

 proportion of this nutrient in different samples of corn is found to 

 vary between about 7 and 13 or 14 per cent. Some of the western 

 breeders have succeeded in effecting an increase of about 2 per cent 

 in protein within a very few seed generations. To determine definitely 

 the proportion of protein in Indian corn, a chemical analysis is of 

 course necessary; but examination of the kernels affords clear indica- 

 tions as to the composition. If when cut through the middle the 

 kernel shows a relatively small proportion of the white starchy mate- 

 rial and a large proportion of the intensely hard, more or less glossy 

 and slightly translucent, material and a large germ, the grain will be 

 rich in protein. It is fortunately true that all the kernels borne upon 

 one cob usually exliibit similar characteristics. It follows, therefore, 

 that, if the examination of a few kernels from different parts of the 

 ear indicates that it excels in the proportion of the constituents just 

 pointed out, it will be rich in protein; and the balance of the kernels 

 of such an ear should, of course, be i^lanted if increase in jDrotein is 

 the object in view. 



Improvement in Yield. — When improvement in yield is the object, 

 the first step should be to select a good variety. It would be unwise 

 to attempt the improvement of a poor variety. It could be done, 

 but it is unnecessary, for there are already numerous excellent varie- 

 ties. From such a variety, select a considerable number of ears which 

 approach the ideal type. Western growers advise the very careful 

 selection of 100 ears from the general crop. These ears should then 

 be more critically examined and compared with each other, and about 

 one-half, including only those which appear to be very superior, should 

 be reserved for yet closer examination. The next step should be to 

 shell these specially selected ears and carefully weigh the grain, and, 

 in the light of the facts thus disclosed, still further reduce the num- 

 ber. Western corn breeders usually advise taking 25 ears for the 

 breeding plot. They generally recommend planting two rows of 50 

 hills each from each ear. If 25 be the number selected, then rows 



