022 



THE AMEBIC AN NATURALIST [Vol. XL VI 



others in the history of the strain. Mr. W. T. Craig, who has 

 been connected with the corn-breeding work at the University 

 of Illinois for a number of years, states that to his knowledge 

 no ear similar to this has ever been harvested on any of the 

 breeding plots at this station. 



The selection in the particular strain in which the branched 

 ear was found has since been discontinued and thus we do not 

 know whether the type would ever have occurred again in the 

 same strain. Hybrid progeny from this parent strain are, how- 

 ever, yet being grown at this station; but no other individuals 

 like the one here described have been found. 



Several more generations of the branched corn should be 

 grown before we can make any reliable statements as to its 

 economic value. It is hoped that the new type may be devel- 

 oped by hybridization and subsequent selection among the seg- 

 regates (which work is in progress now). As yet it does not 

 bear as much grain as the unbranched ear in the strain in which 

 it was found. The parent ear of Z. ramosa measured approx- 

 imately 5.5" in length and 9" in circumference. Very little dif- 

 ference was found in the size of the other parts of the plants 

 except that of the tassel, which is also slightly smaller on the 

 new type. 



The branched ear is apparently an ideal form to feed whole 

 to livestock. The cob is of such nature that it may be readily 

 masticated with the kernels and without the necessity of grind- 

 ing or chopping before it is fed. It may also prove to be an 

 ideal type for ensilage. Whether it will yield well enough to 

 justify its production for any of these, or other purposes, re- 

 mains to be investigated. 



