140 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



be selected. Their ability to yield is then determined by 

 planting a short row, usually about four feet long, from 

 each head the next season. A check system should be 



used to secure a reli- 

 able test, and a com- 

 posite sample from the 

 general seed may be 

 used for planting the 

 check rows, usually 

 every tenth row being 

 planted as a check. 

 At harvest time 

 each row is carefully 

 studied, special notice 

 being given to winter 

 killing, stiffness of 

 straw, time of ripening, 

 and other qualities. 

 If each row is har- 

 vested and thrashed 

 separately, compara- 

 tive yields may be 

 secured. The grain 

 from the most prom- 

 ising rows is used to 

 plant a larger crop the 

 next season, which 

 will give another op- 

 portunity for study 

 and selection of the 

 most promising strains. In a few years enough seed 

 will be secured to seed a small field, and later the entire 

 crop, if the selection proves to be more desirable than the 



Fig. 48. — Head-row test showing vari- 

 eties in yield of straw and grain (Ohio Ex- 

 periment Station). 



