48 CORN 



Mays Tiirta, leaves and stem covered with hairs ; Zea Mays curagua, 

 a form having a serrate leaf; and Chinese maize, a form having a 

 waxy instead of a starchy endosperm. 



Number of Varieties. In 1898, Professor E. L. Sturtevant 

 published a description of 507 varieties, though he thought that in 

 many cases the same variety had more than one name, there being 

 163 synonyms. He classified the varieties into the following natural 

 groups : 



Dent corns 323 varieties 



Flint corns 69 varieties 



Sweet corns 63 varieties 



Soft corns 27 varieties 



Pop-corns . 25 varieties 



Growth and Development of Parts. If a young plant six 

 inches high is taken up and examined, it will be found that all the 

 principal parts of the plant have begun development. Cut the plant 

 in two lengthwise. In the center is a short stem. Note that the 

 stem is divided by nodes very close together. While the stem at this 

 stage may not be more than one or two inches long, some 12 to 20 

 cross nodes (or the full number when mature) may be made out by 

 careful examination. 



From the very lowest nodes on the base of the stem, roots have 

 been thrown out. From the upper nodes leaves are developing. 

 The full number of leaves may be counted at this time. At the very 

 tip of the little stem, an embryonic tassel can be seen. Inside each 

 leaf may be seen a very small bud. Note that all parts of the plant, 

 roots, leaves, buds, arise from the nodes. Now as the plant grows, 

 the stem between the nodes (internodes) simply lengthens, stretching 

 out the entire length of the stem like a telescope. At the same time 

 all parts of the plant grow in size, but no new parts are formed. 



When the plant has attained some size, one or two of the buds near 

 the base of the stem may begin very rapid growth and develop into 

 tillers or suckers. A little later one of the buds from near the 

 middle of the plant will develop into an ear. 



The stem is divided by nodes. The number of nodes varies with 

 the height of plant. In northern latitudes the number above ground 

 is about 10 and the height of stalk 6 feet, while in the south, plants 

 12 to 15 feet high have 18 to 20 nodes, and a corresponding number 

 of leaves in each case. 



