SEED GROWERS 
23 
HYBRID CORN 
The fundamental principles of hybrid corn are somewhat complex, and 
the breeding work connected with its production is so varied and technical 
that its complete discussion here is impossible. For a complete treatise on 
this new type corn refer to the United States Department of Agriculture 
bulletins 1489 and 1744. 
Briefly, a hybrid is a first generation cross between inbred lines of corn. 
These inbred lines are produced by causing a corn plant to be selTpol- 
linated. Selection of the severest sort is carried on from five to eight years 
in this manner, and at the end of that time the inbreds are stable. From that 
time on, as long as the corn is kept pure, the inbred will reproduce exactly 
the same as its parents, and extreme uniformity is apparent. These inbreds 
have certain desirable characteristics, such as deep kernels, strong roots, stiff 
stalks, or a dark green color. Artificially crossing these lines produces a 
hybrid. 
If the work of the breeder has been successful, the hybrid resulting from 
the crossing of inbreds fusually four) will be uniformly better than open 
pollinated corn. There will be a decided increase in yield, greater uni¬ 
formity, and less of the undesirable characteristics found in ordinary corn. 
After the proper hybrid recipes have been created, the work of pro¬ 
duction on a large scale is undertaken. Fields are planted with two kinds 
of foundation hybrids. One is used as the ear parent, the other as the 
tassel parent. The tassels are removed from the ear parent, and cross pol¬ 
lination is enforced in that manner. Seed is saved only from the ear parent 
rows. 
As in every new industry there are cheap imitations of a good product 
for sale. The consumer will do well to beware of the purchase of hybrid 
corn from unknown sources. The best guarantee of dependability is the 
reputation of the producer. 
See page 6P fen descripfioii of loicealih and Colninbia Hybrid Corn 
