128 FIELD CROPS 



breeding that will quite probably be adopted eventually by 

 all corn breeders. 



162. Breeding for Protein and Oil. Considerable prog- 

 ress has been made by the Illinois Experiment Station in 

 breeding corn to increase the percentage of protein and oil. 

 This station recommends the selection of corn with this 

 purpose in view. The oil content may be increased by select- 

 ing kernels having large germs. By examining the kernels 

 and selecting those showing a large proportion of horny to 

 white starch (see Fig. 39), an increase in the protein content 

 may be secured. The station results indicate that selection 

 for high protein has a tendency to decrease yield. 



163. The Need for Special Breeders. Too much time 

 and too much careful work are involved in the scientific 

 breeding of corn to make it practical for each farmer to 

 attempt the work. Probably the average farmer will not 

 care to go farther in breeding work than to have a special 

 seed corn plat, and not attempt to produce pedigreed seed 

 corn, or even to conduct an ear-to-row test. This will mean 

 that in every corn-growing community there will be room for 

 a corn breeder. When this breeder has demonstrated that 

 he has corn of superior quality especially adapted to the 

 locality, he will have little difficulty in selling it at a price 

 which will make it profitable for him to breed corn as a 

 business. If he really produces corn of high quality, it will 

 likewise be profitable for farmers in the community to buy 

 seed of him. 



164. The Farmer's Seed Corn Plat. Every corn-grower 

 can well afford to give some time and thought to the care and 

 handling of a seed corn plat. The size of this plat will 

 depend upon the acreage of corn grown. The object should 

 be to have the plat large enough to produce sufficient seed 

 of excellent quality to meet his requirements. If the seed 



