50 CORN 



velop until about one-fourth full size, then each kernel sends out a 

 long silk or style. Those kernels near the butt send out silks first, 

 then silking gradually proceeds toward the tip; the whole process 

 taking from two to three days. As soon as a silk emerges from the 

 husk it is ready to receive pollen. One pollen grain must fall on 



FIG. 19. Ear of corn in full silk, and ready to be fertilized. There is a silk (pistil) from 

 each kernel, and each must receive a pollen grain. 



every silk, for if it does not receive pollen, the kernel to which it is 

 attached will not develop. 



Fertilization. When the pollen grain falls on a silk, soon a 

 small tube is sent out which finds its way down the silk and into the 

 egg cell of the young kernel. Reaching the egg cell, the contents of 



