THE SELECTION OF SEED 253 



starved, had it not been for this native plant, and finally 

 they gave it especially the general name then in use for 

 grain. 



190. The Selection of Seed. Farmers use corn for both 

 grain and fodder ; and therefore both stalk and ear are to 

 be considered in selecting seed. For this reason it is 

 best to begin the selection in the field before harvesting. 

 Ears should be preserved only from those stalks that have 



CLASS SELECTING SEED CORN. 



ample foliage and vigorous growth, and that produce one 

 good, well-developed ear, two ears apiece, if two ears are 

 customary in the variety. The ears should hang over 

 somewhat and should be placed neither high nor low. 



The points to be secured in ear selection are vitality, 

 yield, and maturity. 



it, and after how to dress and tend it. Also he told them axcepte they got 

 fish and set with it (in these grounds) it would come to nothing ; and he 

 showed them yt in ye middle of Aprill, they should have store enough come 

 up ye brooke by which they begane to build and taught them how to take it." 



