86 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



ears will possess is hereditary, and will, therefore, in all 

 likelihood be transmitted to the progeny. The height 

 of the plant, and the height at which the ear is carried 

 on the stalk, should also be considered. Tall plants are 

 not usually desirable when corn is grown for the grain, 



since tall corn is 

 difficult to handle 

 in cutting, and if 

 harvested from the 

 standing stalk, the 

 ear is in an awkward 

 position to husk. 

 Selection of seed from 

 plants carrying the 

 ear at a medium 

 height will after a 

 few years produce 

 a strain of corn in 

 which most of the 

 ears will be at a 

 convenient height to 

 husk. Likewise se- 

 lection for medium 

 height of stalk will 

 develop plants of con- 

 venient height to har- 

 vest. If the corn is a little late for the average season, 

 by selecting seed from the early maturing plants that 

 will be found growing here and there over the field, one 

 can in a few years have the general crop ripen a week 

 or ten days earlier. Another thing that should be con- 

 sidered in field selection of seed is the vigor of the plant. 

 Some plants are easily blown over, while others are able 



Fig. 25. — Rack for storing seed corn. 



