192 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



The results of two years' work by the Mississippi 

 Experiment Station on the value of suckering corn are 

 shown below: ' 



Table 10. Showing Results of Two Years' Suckering Corn 



1910 AND 1911 



Ricks, in discussing these results, says: "Pulling the suck- 

 ers from corn has never given us any increased yields. The 

 expense in doing this work should be put into better and 

 more frequent cultivations." 



233. Methods of improving com. — Three methods 

 are employed in the improvement of corn. They are 

 (1) selection, including both mass selection and pedigree 

 selection, (2) hybridization followed by selection, and 

 (3) acclimatization. The method of improving corn by 

 hybridization is too technical and expensive to be of gen- 

 eral value to the farmer. This work should be left for the 

 skilled breeder, the farmer giving his attention to the im- 

 provement of his corn by selection. 



SELECTION 



Systematic selection is the most important factor in the 

 improvement of corn. The success of this method depends 

 upon the abiUty of the breeder to recognize the most 



