INHERITANCE— IMPRO VEMENT B Y BREEDING 2 1 7 



to possess, as it is by increased length in proportion to the CHAP, 

 diameter of cob that the percentage of grain is increased. V ' 

 Soft, chaffy grains, though long, or grains with prolonged 

 chaffy caps, are not desired. It is much better to select for 

 increased length of kernel than to select for small cobs." The 

 most desirable shape of grain, he adds, is that of a wedge hav- 

 ing straight sides and edges. This shape admits of the grains 

 fitting together so compactly that little or no space is wasted. 

 " The germ, the most nutritious portion, and the portion in 

 which is located the embryo plant, should be large, smooth, 

 and firm." 



This American ideal excludes such broad types of grain as 

 the broad Natal Hickory King, and yet Hickory King is con- 



Fig. 87. — A, Desirable shape of grain. B, Device for standardizing grains. 



sidered one of the best selling types on the local South African 

 market. But it does not necessarily follow that Hickory King 

 is the most profitable type to grow. We need further informa- 

 tion on several points in this connection before we can form a 

 definite opinion as to the breed that will pay best, 1/ we can 

 get the best price, combined with good yield, from the broad 

 Hickory King, that may be the best type for us to grow. But 

 if we get, say, I os. a muid {ox Hickory King, yielding 12 muids 

 per acre, and only 9s. per muid for some other variety yielding 

 1 5 muids per acre, it will pay better to grow the 9s. variety, 

 for it will sell for 15s. per acre (or £y 10s. per ten acres) more 

 than the Hickory King. 



175. Fancy Points. — There are some points made use of in 

 judging maize at shows which are good in their way, but which 



