Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

FARMERS' METHODS OF PRODUCING PURE SEEDS 289
then a basis of further selection. Complicated methods have
been used for the introduction of new blood and to keep up the
vigor of the strain. The method here outlined is an attempt
to simplify this practice and at the same time obtain as good
results as can be obtained by the more detailed procedures. It
is based on experimental studies carried on at the Nebraska
Station (Montgomery, 1909). The details are as follows:
1. Select from 100 to 200 ears of the variety to be grown. If
possible,
select these ears in the field from those stalks which if
in a perfect stand will give a good yield.
2. Make an ear-to-row test of these selected ears, saving half
of the seed from each ear planted. From this ear-to-row test
the 25 best ears may be determined.
3. Mix the remnants of the 25 highest yielding ears and plant
Select all ears obtained which
the following year in a seed plot.
are fairly desirable,
eliminating only the very undesirable types.
4. Use the selected seed for planting as much of the corn
acreage as possible.
DIAGRAM OF PROCEDURE FOR SPECIAL CORN BREEDER
1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year
4th to
3th Year
Uie remnants of
25 best
yielding ears Seed Plot