CORN OB MAIZE 



35 



seen a scar on the kernel, showing the former attachment 

 of the silk. The number of pollen grains produced by the 

 flowers of a single tassel has been estimated at about 18 

 millions, or about 9000 pollen grains to each ovule. So 



FIG. 3. Staminate and pistillate flowers of the corn plant. 



we find that nature has made a liberal provision of pollen 

 in order to insure that one grain of the thousand produced 

 will effect the fertilization of the ovary. Extremely hot 

 winds may so injure the pollen grains as to make them 



