308 MAINE) AGRICUI.TURAI, EXPERIMENT STATION. 191O. 



On the basis of the experiments and observations reported in 

 this bulletin, some practical suggestions regarding the growing 

 of sweet corn in Maine have been prepared. In these sugges- 

 tions there is outlined a simple plan of corn breeding which can 

 readily be put into operation by any farmer or packer in the 

 State. 



The observations made by the writers during the four sum- 

 mers in which they have been in the field studying the sweet 

 corn industry in the State have led to the conviction that there 

 is both a great need and a great opportunity for seed improve- 

 ment with this crop. The best interests of the farmer and the 

 packer are in no conflict over this matter. The two great prac- 

 tical lessons which have grown clearer and more certain as the 

 work has progressed are that to get the best results (from both 

 packer's and farmer's standpoint) it is necessary first that defi- 

 nite seed selection be practiced to improve earliness, yield and 

 quality of ear, and second that, notwithstanding a more or less 

 widespread impression to the contrary, locally grptvn and bred 

 seed gives the best results, provided, of course, that it is well 

 grown and ivell bred. The best sweet corn in ]\iaine today is 

 grown from locally produced seed. 



