462 CORN 



yielding individual ears. The rows in the "increase bed" should be 

 numbered. We will then have the odd and even numbered rows as 

 discussed under "Mating Ears in Breeding Block," and will be handled 

 in the same way. The seed planted in the even numbered rows is 

 all the progeny of ear No. i (with ear No. 50 as sire) ; then the seed 

 planted in the odd numbered rows is all the progeny of ear No. 10 

 (with ear No. 25 as sire). The alternate rows thus representing seed 

 tracing back to the same parentage. Either the odd numbered rows 

 or even numbered rows should be detasseled in accordance with the 

 directions under heading "Mating Individual Ears in Breeding Block." 

 The increase bed is thus a means of continuing the breeding along a 

 definite line, whereby a record of the parent may be had, together with 

 data regarding their performances. This is a method which may be 

 followed in the production of pure bred seed corn with which a pedi- 

 gree of performance may be given. 



This is an outline of but one increase bed. As many more may 

 be had as the breeder desires. The increase bed furnishes the very 

 best place for securing seed corn for planting the general fields. Seed 

 corn of this quality would be in great demand in any locality at most 

 satisfactory prices. 



CONTINUING INDIVIDUAL EAR TEST AND MATING IN 

 BREEDING BLOCKS. It is well that the corn breeder continue the 

 individual test from year to year. The ears for this purpose may be 

 secured from the increase bed. Such ears, of course, will already have 

 a record back of them. A strict record should be kept when they go 

 to the individual ear test. The breeding blocks of 20 hills square 

 should also be continued from year to year. The corn secured for 

 this purpose may come from two sources : 



1. The very best of the ears produced in the breeding block 01 

 the previous year. (Do not use an ear which has not been 

 tested.) 



2. Ears secured from the individual ear test. 



A policy that may well be adopted by all corn breeders, is not to 

 mate two ears of corn in the breeding block until they first have been 

 given an individual ear test as to their performance. Therefore, no 

 individual ear of corn should be taken from the increase bed to mate 

 in the breeding block until it has first been given a trial in the in- 

 dividual row test. By so doing, the corn breeding will be kept at 

 the highest standard. It will be seen that suCh a system as herein 

 outlined for the corn breeder, while not taking a great deal of extra 

 time, demands the most careful attention of a competent person. 



