FIRST YEAR TRIAL PLOT 455 



The number who may be called "Corn Breeders" in the sense that 

 we speak of our various breeders of Hve stock, are surprisingly few 

 when we consider the great importance of this crop in its relation 

 to the total annual production of the farms of the United States. 



It is to be expected of the corn breeder that he take greater care 

 in the selection of his first or foundation stock. P'ifty ears is a de- 

 sirable number with which to start. These may be selected in the 

 same manner as with those discussed under "Farmers' Selection Bed." 

 When the 50 ears are determined upon, they should, of course, be the 

 very best that could be secured for the purpose. 



FIRST YEAR.— Trial Plot. The entire ear will not be planted as 

 in the former case, but merely a portion of each in accordance with 

 the following outline. 





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PLANTING INDIVIDUAL BARS BY HAND. 



Select a piece of ground located as per the directions under "Farm- 

 ers' Selection Bed." Mark ofif a piece 50 hills square, the rows having 

 same width as the planter, that it may be cultivated with the rest of 

 the field. This will then, give a piece of land of SO rows in width, each 

 row containing 50 hills. Number the rows from one to 50; likewise 

 the ears. One hundred and fifty kernels may now be taken from one 

 side of each ear. The rest of the ear must be very carefully put away 

 where nothing will bother it. Some of them are to be mated the 

 following year; everything depends upon their being safely kept. 

 The 150 kernels from each ear will just be sufficient for the planting 

 of three kernels in each of the 50 hills to the row. The planting 



