9° 



MAIZE 



CHAP. {Hunt, i) to vary with the thickness of planting and the 

 IV ' season, and barrenness does not seem to be a variety char- 

 acteristic, but rather the result of environment. The subject 

 needs further investigation as a possible cause of low yields 

 in South Africa. 



Sometimes the maize plant bears ears which are barren 



Fig. 36. — Bisexual ear. 



Fig. 37. — Bisexual ear. 



owing either to the destruction of the silk by the larva; of 

 certain moths (Fig. 38) or to failure to produce silks even 

 when the ovules are developed (Fig. 39). 



72. Flowering Period. — Considerable difference is notice- 

 able in the time taken by different breeds to reach the flower- 

 ing stage ; it usually requires nine to twelve weeks. This is 



