Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-07-05
Pedigree Observation-Disclosures for I'm
nrnNemenI of Corn.

The value of pedigree in seed, as AN idea,
seems as reasonable rs that of pedigree IN
animals In both cases it is but the expires
sion of a general law of evolution concen-
tration of qualities by breeding within def
mite lines tends to develop strength or pre-
potency but it is to be remembered that it
is just as easy to strengthen bad qualities
as good ones. In pedigree seed we have
seed with intensity of characters, which,
il of the proper sorts, tends not only to Sc
cure uniformity of quality in the crop, but
furnishes plant capable of greater resist
ance to unfavorable conditions of climate
and culture In growing pedigree seed and
scrub seed side by side, if the soil be fer
tile. the climate propitious, and all condi
tons eminently favorable, the amount of
the crop may be equal from the two kinds
of seed: but let unfavorable conditions arise
and such do arise in average localities and
seasons. then the difference between the
two crops will clearly Illustrate the superb
ority of the pedigree seed in overcoming
conditions and securing product. In com
mon parlance, however, the term pedigree
carries with it the idea of Improvement
that is, of artificial qualities which are of
value and which have been fixed and i'm
plies excellence in the individual and in its
ancestry through long line of progenitors.
Hence we may say that thoroughbred corn
is a sort the farmer can afford to buy and
pay high for but in using this phrase we
must also caution that an illbred thorough
bred is meanness intensified.
Pedigree corn may develop the power of
resistance to cross civilization. have found
two varieties of flint corn, one in Wausha
KUN, a carefully bred variety, the other the
Silver White flint, naturally bred variety,
growing for years alongside a hundred
different varieties, and preserving their
| characteristics so completely that no trace
of mixture could at any time be observed.
Pedigree can also develop the power of rip.
| ening at about the same time every year ;
| while have known corn with equally good
| looking seed-ears to ripen early one year,
and thus escape frost and very much later
than the frosts in another year. If several
years observation with very large num-
| her of varieties affords sufficient data for
| generalization, we may euunciate the for
mula that to secure earliness in our corn
we must select seed ears from those plants
which bear ears nearest the ground. This
| deduction is founded on the fact that in
comparing a large number of varieties the
earlier the ripening the nearer the ground
is the ear there we have generally found
the earliest ears to glaze. This exception,
| however, Is 10 Oe nOtlCeu WneH Ine sIaih
bears two ears or more, the uppermost ear
always ripens normally before those that
are below it, For illustration ears of the
Golden Pop, which ripens its seed in mid
August are so low that they often seem tC
come out of the ground but the Caragua
which with difficulty secures its crop by the
last of October often bears its ears above
the reach of an ordinary man the Marble
head sweet corn and Stowell's Evergreen
sweet furnish another illustration, anC
many more might be given.-Dr, +, Lert
!Sttrterdnt ia ~ J. Tribune