54 



INDIAN CORN CTJLTUEE, 



the large central kernels on the ear to produce 

 larger crops than would the tip kernels. In his 

 experiments Sturtevant planted selections of 

 largest and smallest see'd from ears of Wau- 

 shakum corn.* There was not much difference 

 in the yield from seed of each lot. The results 

 were as follows: 



The selection of large seed would tend toward 

 the ultimate production of a larger ear and 

 seed. This is true, as based on the general law 

 that like produces like. In a discussion before 

 the Society for the Promotion of Agricultural 

 Science "On a New Factor in the Improvement 

 of Crops," Dr. J. C. Arthur gave it as a general 

 law that "large seeds produce stronger plants 

 with a greater capacity for reproduction than 

 small seeds of the same kind." f If, however, 

 the best method of selection is practiced, as 

 outlined in the first part of this chapter, it will 

 not be essential to cast aside the small kernels 

 found on selected ears. 



A type of ear should always be noted in the 



*New York State agricultural experiment station, report 

 for 1885, p. 42. 

 t Agricultural Science, VII, VIII and IX, p. 340. 



