INDIAN COEN. 349 



these varying colors would no doubt "interest the reader, if 

 he will split a grain of corn longitudinally and let it drop 

 into a solution of blue vitriol, (sulphate of copper), such 

 as is used for soaking wheat, the germ will become green, 

 ■because the phosphates only exist in the germ, and by the 

 action of the agent on these phosphates, the copper, unites 

 with them, and phosphate of copper, which is green, is the 

 result. Or, by dropping it into a solution of the sulphy- 

 drate of ammonia, the green will turn a dark olive color, 

 which arises from the change of the salts of iron into a sul- 

 phuret of iron. 



Thus it is apparent that the color is modified by whatever 

 constituents are iound in the soil, and these changes, by 

 constant application, become permanent. Many theories 

 have been evolved in regard to the importance of improv- 

 ing the kinds, and in fact starting new varieties, by selec- 

 tion of seed from the butts, tips and centres of the ear. 



In proof of the efficacy of this plan, many elaborate 

 treatises have been written to prove the favorite spot from 

 which to select seed, with, in all cases, very startling results. 

 But Prof. Daniells of the University farm of Wisconsin, an 

 accepted authority on all agricultural subjects, instituted a 

 series sf experiments conducted with great care, and long 

 continued, and having grown corn from each end and the 

 middle, came to the conclusion there was no practical 

 difference. 



Among /other authors, however, is Dr. Flint, who claims 

 to have seen it tested at the Massachusetts State farm in 

 1858, with the following result, viz: 



Value of crop planted from seed at large end, same 

 number of seed planted in each case, and receiving same 

 treatment and on same soil, 

 738 pounds of sound corn at 1 cent, $7 38 



77 pounds soft corn at £ cent, 39 



1360 pounds fodder at $7 per ton, 4 76 



$12 53 



