184 



THE 



,T [Vol. LV 



REPRODUCING POWER OF WELL-FILLED VS. POORLY- 

 FILLED EARS OF MAIZE 



These tests were conducted to determine the effects, if any, on 

 the progeny, particularly as to productivity, when a stalk of com 

 is caused to produce comparatively few kernels instead of a nor- 

 mal-sized, well-filled ear. In other words, the object was to learn 

 whether artilicially reducing the possible number of progeny 

 kernels would have any influence on their viability, vigor or 

 ability to yield. 



In selecting seed com, ears are occasionally found which evi- 

 dently would have been much larger and bett.er filled had not 

 something such as an overhanging blade or an insect interfered 

 with pollination. Are such ears suitable for seed ? 



Similar tests were conducted with three varieties, one being a 

 cross-bred variety. The three classes of seed for these tests were 

 grown in 1914 and their comparative productiveness tested in 

 1915. The seed of U. S. Selection 77 was gro^Ti and tested at 

 Piketon on river^iottom soil in Southem Ohio, and that of the 

 other two varieties at Broad Run on Piedmont clay of Northern 



Methods of Procedure 



Two methods were used to control the pollination and conse- 

 quent seed production of the poorly filled ears. In one case, the 

 first silks to appear were about an inch beyond the end of the 

 slioots when the shoots were bagged to prevent further pollina- 

 tion. In the other ca^e, the ear shoots w^ere bagged >before the 

 silks began to appear. When all the silks had protraded several 

 inches the bags were removed for half aa hour and then re- 

 placed. This was done when pollen was falling freely. A few 

 of the uncovered silks thus became naturally pollinated. 



The first method produced ears the butt ends of which were 

 fairly well filled for about one fourth the length of the cob. The 

 second method gave ears that had a few large rounded kernels 

 scattered over the cob. As check seed for the tests, large, well- 

 lillod. typical, seed ears that had been allowed to mature un- 

 molcstf'd wore scIcetfMl. The seed ears of the three lots of each 

 v.'ificty wcrr s. ■],■,• 1,(1 trom the same rows from similar stalks 

 Liiow II liiitl' i- lik" iM/iiditions as far as possible. The drying, care, 

 etc.. were the .same for ea«h of the three lots. 



