REID'S YELLOW DENT 425 



was cut off squarely. This peculiar though very showy character was 

 found to reproduce a late maturing ear. Hence, at present a gently 

 rounding tip is preferred, with, however, depth of kernel over the 

 entire cob. A Reid ear hangs on a very small shank and often because 

 of too close selection on this point, is even too fine. The ear is me- 

 dium in length, measuring 8 to io>4 inches. 



Kernels. The distinct pairing of the rows of kernels, the extreme 

 triangular outline of the edges of the kernels which dovetail together, 

 and the large open-faced germ extending almost to the crown and 

 covering the face of the wedge-shaped outline, are all characteristics 

 of the Reid corn. Usually the germ has a marked seam down its 

 center. The kernels, which are firm and upright on the cob, are of 

 varying shades of yellow, usually being light, though not of a weak, 

 starchy appearance. Often a tinge of copper color shows on the sur- 

 face, due to the early breeding of the "Gordon Hopkins" corn. 



The dentation of the kernels is very noticeable when grown in the 

 central part of Illinois or southern Iowa. On strong ground a pinched 

 appearance may occur. As it is acclimated to more northern lati- 

 tudes the kernels become shallow and flinty with a dimpled surface. 

 This was the original Reid type, but the best breeders today select a 

 bridge-crease dent. 



Adaptability. Reid's Yellow Dent matures in no to 120 days, 

 being a medium late maturing variety. Many farmers in 

 Iowa and Nebraska have had very poor success with it the first year, 

 because it keeps on growing on rich soils until caught by frost. It 

 has, however, become a very versatile variety, and by changing its 

 type adapts itself to new environments. Being highly bred, rigid seed 

 selection must be continually practiced or the prolificacy and trueness 

 to type of the variety is rapidly lost. 



CONTEMPORARY BREEDERS. It has been said that there 

 are as many types of Reid's Yellow Dent as there are men who grow 

 this variety. There are, however, a few breeders who have developed 

 such strength of blood lines that each has a group of amateurs follow- 

 ing in his footsteps. The Funk Brothers, of Bloomington, Illinois, 

 have evolved the Funk's Yellow Dent by selection and mating from 

 the original Reid stock. W. E. Johnson, of Athens, has been a pioneer 

 in a very substantial way, not only distributing seed in other states, 

 but following it up and encouraging the purchasers by putting up 

 premiums for them. W. H. Young, also of Athens, has been a con- 

 sistent winner in the Reid classes. His corn shows a wonderful true- 



