468 CORN 



not improbable that a large germ, though in itself tending to produce 

 high protein content, might be overcome by the low protein of the 

 remainder of the kernel." (Protein is substituted for nitrogen in this 

 quotation). 



Of course, if one picks out corn with large germs and at the same 

 time either consciously or unconsciously selects those ears the kernels 

 of which contain a large proportion of horny part, he may make con- 

 siderable gain in protein, but in such case the gain should not be at- 

 tributed solely to the large germs. 



The method of selecting seed corn for high oil content on the basis 

 of large germs is certainly well founded, because of the fact that more ' 

 than 80 per cent of the total oil of the kernel is contained in the germ. 



Speaking of the correlation of oil and protein, Dr. Hopkins says: 

 "All of the data gathered tends to prove that as the percentage of 

 protein increases in corn, the starch decreases, while the oil remains 

 almost unchanged, and that we may increase or decrease the percent- 

 age of oil or of germ in corn without markedly affecting the percent- 

 age of protein. This was the conclusion drawn when 163 ears of corn 

 were analyzed more than 6 years ago. The different strains of corn 

 which we have finally produced in our regular corn breeding work, 

 furnish us excellent material for ascertaining what effect is produced 

 upon the oil content of corn by breeding for a higher or lower pro- 

 tein content and vice versa. What effect is produced upon the protein 

 content by bireeding for a higher or lower oil content may also be as; 

 certained. 



"In 1909, we planted rows called the 'mixed plot' with 2 kinds 

 of corn in every row, one kind having been bred for 4 years for 

 high oil content, the other (originally from the same variety and stalk) 

 having been bred during the same 4 years for low oil content. 

 These 2 kinds of seed were planted in every row just far enough 

 apart so that the identity of the plants individually could be known 

 as they grew during the season. The corn from each of the 10 rows 

 was harvested in 2 lots, one being corn from high oil seed, and 

 the other lot being from low oil seed. The 2 lots from each row 

 were kept separate, the one being labeled 'Corn from the high oil seed' 

 and the other 'Corn from the low oil seed'." 



The percentages of oil and protein as contained in these different 

 lots of corn are shown in the following table : 



