50 CORN CULTURE 



SELECTION AND CARE OF SEED CORN 



The careful selection of seed corn seems important for two rea- 

 sons: (1) In practically all the region north of the Ohio River it 

 is necessary to see that corn matures well, while at the same time 

 maintaining the size of the ear. (2) Since corn plants are spaced 

 wide apart (as compared with small grain which is sown thickly), 

 the plants are largely relieved from the effects of " natural selection," 





FIG. 24. Difference in types of corn. Eureka corn, a southern type, compared with sweet 



corn on right. 



and so " artificial selection " must be practised to maintain the crop. 

 Natural selection can be secured by very thick planting, and results 

 at the Nebraska Station indicate that a more vigorous type of corn 

 can be developed under thick planting than under thin planting. 

 For several years corn was grown continuously, in one case, with 

 only 1 stalk per hill ; in another case 3 stalks per hill were grown 



