436 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXVIII, No. 5 
greater the yield is likely to be, providing, of course, the grains are of good depth. 
Increase in the number of rows to the ear and great depth of grain, together 
with greater tenderness are things to be particularly sought in sweet corn selection 
and breeding. 
From the standpoint of sweetness and flavor in the canned product the corns 
producing quickly maturing ears seem to have the advantage over the slowly 
maturing sorts, the corn coming to canning maturity more closely to the time 
when the sugar content is greatest. Breeding for this character would, there¬ 
fore, seem desirable. 
Owing to the resistance of some of the late corns to bacterial disease there 
seems to be a need, also, for the selection of strains which will maintain a higher 
sugar content at the 20 an4 25 day stages, thus making possible the utilization 
of these corns at later stages when greater yields of first-quality corn might be 
obtained. In this connection it seems, also, that the development of strains 
having a higher water-soluble polysaccharide content would be worth striving 
for. .The crossing of the sweet with the waxy varieties having a very high dex¬ 
trin content would seem to offer possibilities in this line. 
Attention has already been directed to the rate at which different varieties 
of sweet corn under study came into flower, and it was noted that while silking 
in all the varieties continued for two weeks or more, in some the bulk of the silk¬ 
ing occurred within a very few days, as, for instance, Golden Bantam and Coun¬ 
try Gentleman. Although, as already mentioned, environmental factors, quality 
of the seed, etc., may have had some influence upon this particular result, it has 
seemed that a varietal characteristic was exhibited here which is worthy the 
attention of the corn breeder. 
For home and market garden purposes an irregular or prolonged flowering 
period may be of advantage, as it increases correspondingly the number of days 
when corn may be picked in prime condition for table use. The reverse is true 
for corn grown for factory purposes. Several pickings from the same field is 
hardly feasible for the average farmer, and therefore the corn ordinarily delivered 
at the factory contains a considerable percentage of immature and overmature 
ears, which affect to a greater or less extent the quality of the product derived 
from it. Therefore, from the standpoint of large yields, high quality of the canned 
corn, seasonal hazards, etc., it is desirable that all the plants flower at as nearly 
the same time as possible, and that the subsequent development of the ears be 
highly uniform. It is believed that this characteristic of prompt development 
of the ears may be readily attained by careful selection in the existing varieties. 
PREMIUM CORN 
In conclusion, one other matter calls for serious consideration. It must be 
realized that all attempts in the attainment of high quality in canned corn are 
dependent upon the degree of cooperation between the grower of the corn on the 
one hand, and the canner on the other. The farmer grows the corn for the 
financial return it brings and it is natural that he should desire to realize as 
much as possible from the crop. Most farmers know that where compensation 
is based purely upon the weight of cut-off corn it is to their advantage to delay 
the harvesting as long as possible. Such a condition of affairs is inimical to the 
production of a first-quality canned product. From the standpoint of the 
canner, corn in prime condition is worth more than either immature or over¬ 
mature corn and he must secure it in this condition if his pack is to be of the 
highest quality. Therefore, it would seem only fair to both grower and canner 
that quality be made the basis of compensation, the highest price being paid for 
corn in that stage of maturity which will yield a canned product of the finest 
quality. 
