88 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



tion of seed, contending that ears removed from the 

 stalk before cutting time are not fully mature. This 

 objection may be overcome by marking ears desired for 

 seed, before the corn is put into the shock, and separating 

 them at husking time from the rest of the corn. It is 

 well to select from the field a larger number of ears than 

 will be necessary to plant the next year's crop. This 

 will permit the sorting over of the seed, and the dis- 

 carding of undesirable ears or those with faulty germina- 

 tion. 



68. Ear-to-row test. — Ears of corn vary greatly 

 in size, shape, weight, and other ear characters. They 

 also vary in productiveness. It would be a great conven- 

 ience to the corn grower if he could by the appearance 

 of an ear estimate with some degree of accuracy its 

 ability to yield. This, however, has not been found 

 possible with the present knowledge of the relation of ear 

 characters to yield. The ear-to-row test is the only 

 method of picking out the high yielding ears. " This 

 test consists in comparing the relative productiveness 

 of a number of ears of corn when planted side by side, 

 an ear or a part of an ear to a row. Ears for such tests 

 may well be selected while ripening in the field, in order 

 that the condition of growth may be noted, and only 

 such ears chosen as give some reason for believing that 

 their excellence may be due to something other than 

 favorable environment." An ear-to-row test may be 

 carried out in the corner of the regular corn field. The 

 soil should be uniform in fertility, and if underdrained, 

 the rows should run at right angles to the drain in order 

 that all the rows will be affected alike. The rows for 

 convenience may be made 50 hills long. Plant row No. 1 

 with corn from ear No. 1, row No. 2 from ear No. 2, 



