Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-04-01

zion the growth Of the top ana leaves
,bove The ears, as soon as the tassei nus
,,o,rormed lis functions, il these are o. no
further use Z" -,
We mus, not omit TO make distinc-
ZION between annual plants, such as corn,
and perennial plants, in considering this
question. Perennials do not perfect them
selves in one season. They grow and
increase in size, even while bearing fruit
Now these may be very properly and
profiably TOPPED -pruned-and 10y do
ing it properly, the quantity and even
quality of the fruit may be greatly improv-
ed. By pruning grape-vines we cause
much of the power of the plant that
would have been exetted in making new
wood. TO be turned towards the forma
lion of fruit. We do not want the wood,
and as we do want the fruit, this is a use
full operation. In the case of perennials,
the plant performs two operations, the
extension of its size, and the production
Of fruit. The annual, after it is grown,
has but one duty 10 perform, and that is
the production of lis fruit or seed"
" But there is a species OF topping corn
that | have practsed with very curious
results 1t occurred in my experiments
in improving corn by cross imprcguation.
To accomplish my object ] was obliged
10 suppress the tdSsei only, not touching
single leaf On all these plants ! found
the ears were larger and the grain longer /
and heavier than those in which the tas /
sells were allowed to grow aud perform
their functions. Now here we can rea-
dly see the reason of the result. The
tassel is large organ, requiring con
siderable portion of Tie nUtrlve power OF
the plant to produce aud support it; if
we prevent lis formation aud growth. we
of course save To the other parts Of the
plant all the food that would have been
required for the tassel. The conse-
quence was as above related, consider
able increase OF the size and weight of
the ears and grain. must explain that
The pollen was supplied by other plants
surrounding The one operated on, but at y
no expense To them, because the pollen
that fell upon the experimental plants a
would have been lost 10 lis parent plants I
at all events. Persons disposed ia try S
this experiment may do so safely without c
risk Of loss. The tasscl of each alter 5
nate plant in field may be cut out Just {
as II makes its appearance, and the silk +
or pisllls OF the plants will be supplied by z
the iassels OF the noighborhood plants. c
In this way new varieties OF corn may be o
produced at pleasure and with hide u
trouble. Indeed tie wonder is that II
while we are ranging the world over a
IN search OF new grains, fruits, aud veg e
etablcs, so little is done to produce new :
ones and improve old ones at home
In the case Of corn, | affirm that even .,
improvement that eau be desired, can be W
in it. 1t can he made late OF to
early, large cob or small cob, large on ~
small grain, hard and finty or soft and m
flowcry, white or yellow, by the simple d,
method OF cross breeding. II is infinite 10
ly more easy and certain than The pio n
cess OF improving animals, and IN NY 4,
OPINION INFINITELY more important to the IA
public and 10 private interests. Suppose o'
A iarner desires kind of corn that RI :,
pens earlier than the kind he cul;ivates. :.
Let him get some early kind, and plant NJ
i alternately with his late kind, allowing mi
At the time OF planting Tor the difference %,
of time each one rlpens. Ii his LAT e M
kind ripens on the 18th September, aud Of
the early kind ripens on The 18Th of Au- e.
gust, then lie must plant the late kind in
Just one month before he plants the d,
early kind. They will then come p'
into flower - that is tassel and silk to- 81
gether. When the tassels begin to show
themselves, let him carefully cut ont all cy
the tassels from the early kind Thus is to
all he has TO do. When the corn is 80
ripe, select the earliest and best ears from o.
The early kind, plant the grain by itself cd
The next year. He will find the produce gu
will be a mixture Of the two kinds plant w.
ed the first year, as 60 color, but they ca
will all be early. AT harvest select the tn
grains desired and the third YEAR will ,Ge
produce the crop desired. In this wa,
my change or Improvement in corn can II
be accomplished. -