224 MAIZE 



CHAP, the smaller of two ears gives the greater weight of grain. This 

 v - is due to the fact that there is an immense difference in the 

 depth of the grain on different ears of the same variety. Other 

 things being equal, the greater the length of the individual 

 grains the greater the yield per acre. It is bulk of grain that 

 is sought, not size of ear ; the latter is important only as it 

 aids to produce the former. It is true that the ear, as well as 

 the vegetative characters of the plant, give an indication of its 

 capacity ; but it is the individual grain which carries the 

 embryo plant, and as the grain is, so will its progeny be, 

 except always for such changes as may be brought about by 

 the influence of environment or cross-pollination. 



The ear must be taken into account only in connection 

 with the grain that it bears. 



1 80. Character of the Grain. — Therefore, after the sub- 

 division by size, weight, and other external characters, it is 

 necessary to examine carefully the character of the grains of 

 each ear, and to re-arrange the ears in accordance therewith ; 

 it is surprising to find how great a range of variation occurs in 

 respect to the size and shape of the grain within the limits of 

 one breed (see Fig. 68). This comparison is best accomplished 

 by taking six grains from each ear, two from a point about 

 one-third from the tip, two from the same distance from the 

 butt, and two from the centre. These six grains are laid on 

 the table at the foot of the ear from which they are taken. 

 Comparison is then made of the grains from all the ears, 

 especially in regard to uniformity, length, shape, thickness, and 

 size of embryo. It is important to consider uniformity of 

 grain, for if — as is often the case — the grains on the upper part 

 of the ear are shorter than those on the lower part, the weight 

 of grain must obviously be less than if they were longer. After 

 careful study of the grains, the ears must be arranged accord- 

 ingly, even at the expense of size and weight ; in some cases 

 a compromise may be made with advantage, but this can only 

 be done effectively by persons having a thorough knowledge 

 of the subject. 



In the case of the ten best ears of each breed, full notes 

 are taken of the length, circumference, and character of each 

 ear ; samples of the grain from each are retained for reference 

 the following season, in order to determine whether the char- 



