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• The Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company, which traces 
directly back to the pioneers of hybrid corn who 
started their breeding work in 1913, devotes its re¬ 
sources to the breeding, production and marketing 
of practical corn hybrids which can be depended 
upon to make a good yield, stand up under adverse 
weather, and mature properly. 
Pioneer follows five important steps in carrying out 
this program: first, sound corn breeding; second, rigid 
performance testing of all new hybrids; third, 
thorough detasseling; fourth, careful processing; and, 
fifth, direct-to-farmer marketing. 
SOUND CORN BREEDING—Pioneer corn breeders practice sound, 
time-tested breeding principles. They work with the cream of 
inbred strains . . . for, besides experimenting with their own 
superior inbred lines, which are increased in number year after 
year, they have access to all inbreds released by State Experi¬ 
ment Stations and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
Pioneer corn breeders maintain the purity of these inbred varieties 
and, with them, carry on an unceasing experiment to develop 
better, more practical hybrids. 
About one thousand new experimental hybrids are produced 
each year, very few of which ever become commercial hybrids. 
This year, the breeding program required over 350,000 individual 
hand-pollinations. 
Through extensive research and superior corn breeding. Pioneer 
customers get hybrids that stand up against bad weather con¬ 
ditions; hybrids that hold their ears well; hybrids that are adapted 
to both hand and mechanical picking; and hybrids that pro¬ 
duce a good crop of ripe, deep kernel, small cob ears which 
generally overrun crib measurements when shelled. 
PERFORMANCE TESTING—Each experimental hybrid which 
shows outstanding qualities undergoes a performance test. 
Before Pioneer corn breeders give it a variety number and 
produce it for commercial growing, the new hybrid must prove 
by actual field production its ability to withstand nature's 
severest planting and growing hazards . . . cold, wet spring 
weather; wet seasons; drought conditions; wind storms . . . and 
it must mature. 
• MAKING A HAND-POLLINATION 
• TESTING FOR YIELD PERFORMANCE 
• DETASSELING SEED FIELDS 
