V. 



2 1 6 MAIZE 



CHAP, on a plant rather than two medium or poor ones ; few plants 

 seem able to develop two really good ears, and much energy 

 is wasted in the attempt, which might better be devoted to 

 the production of one good ear per plant. 



The weight of the husked ear can be taken as a fairly good 

 guide to the relative yield of grain. In some breeds, however, 

 the heaviest ears do not always give the greatest weight of 

 grain, though such exceptions seem rare. Certain ears of 

 Wisco7isin x Iowa Silver-mine, weighing 1095 ozs., gave 8-64 

 ozs. of grain, while those of Yellow Hogan, weighing only 

 icv8o ozs., gave 9-20 ozs. of grain, the difference in percentage 

 of grain to ear being 5'8( per cent in favour of the Yellow 

 Homn Other similar cases have come under the writer's 

 observation. It is quite possible, however, that such differences 

 are not constant. American experiments show that the pro- 

 duction of a large number of well-bred but medium-sized ears 

 is more profitable than the attempt to produce abnormally 

 large ears. 



In endeavouring to improve the yield by breeding, we may 

 start with the moderate aim of a 75 per cent stand and an 

 average of 8 ozs. of grain per ear. If this is attained it will 

 give 6,534 plants (planted 40 x 18 inches), and 16 muids of 

 shelled grain per acre. 



Some local breeds show strong tendency for the sheath 

 of the ear not to cover the end of the cob. This is a bad de- 

 fect, and should be bred out. It leaves the uppermost ovules 

 and silks exposed to weather and insects, with resulting loss 

 of grain. 



The most desirable character of a seed-ear is its power to 

 reproduce abundantly a good quality of ears, but this can only 

 be finally determined by comparative growing tests. 



173. Desirable Cobs. — " Selecting for small cob results in 

 reducing the size of the ear, and it is also an easy matter to 

 reduce the size of the cob to such an extent that the pressure 

 of the kernels causes the ear to break " (Hartley, 5). 



But it is important that the cob should not be too thick, or 

 it will not dry out quickly, when it is apt to discolour the 

 grain. 



174. Desirable Grains. — To again quote Hartley (5): 

 " Length is a very desirable character for the grains of maize 



