CHAPTER III 



DESCRIPTIONS OF VARIETIES 

 GENERAL NOTES 



The discussion of varieties in this publication refers 

 primarily to sweet corn, Zea Mays rugosa Bonaf., 

 although some mention is made of varieties in other 

 groups or forms of maize grown in certain sections for 

 the same purpose. 



The data upon which the major descriptions are 

 based were obtained in extensive variety trials over a 

 period of five years. This work was started in 1928 and 

 brought to completion in 1932. An earnest endeavor 

 was made to grow at least one strain of each available 

 variety each year and in many instances two or more 

 strains of each of the leading varieties were grown 

 for type comparison. In addition to this work, records 

 were available in the annual reports of this Station for 

 the years 1884 to 1886. These records represent 

 Sturtevant's work and have proved to be of great value 

 in the discussion of old varieties not grown today. 



Various trial grounds, both of seed organizations 

 and of agricultural experiment stations, were visited 

 from time to time by one or more of the authors for 

 the purpose of observing the same varieties under 

 different conditions as well as to gain first-hand informa- 

 tion on varieties not always successfully grown at 

 Geneva. The gardens of J. B. Rice Seed Co., Cambridge, 

 New York; Ferry Morse Seed Co., Detroit, Michigan; 

 Associated Seed Growers, New Haven, Connecticut; 

 Massachusetts State College of Agriculture, Amherst, 

 Massachusetts; and Cornell University, Ithaca, New 

 York, offered such opportunities. 



The 24 full -page photographs of the white and 

 yellow varieties serve to indicate the several types which 

 have been in existence rather than to illustrate the 

 leading varieties either historically or those grown in 

 various sections of the country. Although some of the 

 types shown are not true sweet corns, their use for this 

 purpose in certain areas warrants their appearance in 

 this publication. One plate is used to illustrate the 

 variation existing in dry kernel characteristics of the crop. 



Various methods of measuring differences and 

 comparing similarities have been advanced by those 

 interested in varietal studies. Each system has been 

 devised to fit particular demands, and therefore is of 

 value for the use intended. Much discussion has 

 been brought forth concerning the merits or imper- 

 fections of each, but when considered from the stand- 

 point of adaptability an effort should be made to appre- 

 ciate the needs and recognize the scope of them all. 

 Statistical analysis of plant, fruit, or root characters 

 undoubtedly shows very definitely the average of a 

 given group. Yet the multiplicity of the detailed 

 measurements and consequent tedious interpretation 

 of records, necessarily confines such work to relatively 



few varieties. The number and code system is very 

 definite and concise in its operation. When the note taker 

 becomes thoroughly imbued with its exact meaning, 

 the process of recording becomes quite mechanical. 

 When used in conjunction with crops to which it is 

 most suited, its value becomes definitely assured. It 

 does not, however, lend itself with equal adaptability 

 to all crops. This fact, together with the additional 

 interpretation necessary before a clear account can be 

 written, furthermore limits its possibilities for use when 

 200, more or less, varieties of several crops must be 

 considered in a given season. In view of the limitations 

 of previously used methods, a more easily applied 

 system was devised to meet the requirements at Geneva. 

 Its shortcomings are recognized, yet under our con- 

 ditions, where a large number of varieties and strains 

 must be grown for the project intended, it serves the 

 purpose adequately. 



The system for making and recording observations 

 incident to the preparation of this monograph is based 

 on four operations. The known description and origin 

 of each variety and strain were carefully studied. The 

 information derived from this study made it possible 

 to arrange all seed samples in a definite numerical 

 order based on similarity in type and number of days 

 to edible maturity. Due to many unknown samples, 

 the first year or so of the trials were not very successful 

 in this procedure, but after preliminary knowledge con- 

 cerning the comparative earliness of the varieties was 

 obtained, a more perfect arrangement was possible. 

 The various samples were planted in three 24-foot rows 

 each, in order to insure good pollination. The arrange- 

 ment in the field followed the numerical order mentioned 

 above. This not only facilitated note taking, but 

 rendered questionable strains and varieties readily 

 available with those of like season for the purpose of 

 comparison. 



In order to determine more accurately when a given 

 variety had reached a certain stage in its development, 

 a system of tagging was devised. When at least 50 per 

 cent of the individuals of a variety had attained a 

 given stage of development, three normal plants were 

 marked with numbered tags and the date recorded in a 

 book made for the purpose. It was on these three 

 individuals that the date records of the variety were 

 considered. The trial ground was examined every 

 day in order to determine when each tagged plant had 

 reached a particular stage. Five stages were recorded, 

 viz., tassel emergence (when the tassel started to emerge, 

 but before the lateral spikelets began to unfold), pollen 

 shed, silk emergence, milk period, and dough period. 

 By this method the exact number of days between 



14 



