There are two kinds of flowers on the corn: the tassels bearing the pollen, and the ears bearing the ovules which develop into seeds. Study first the tassel. Observe the flowerets through a lens if you have one and note that the pollen sacs open a little at one side instead of at the tip so that the wind is needed in order to shake out the pollen. It is estimated that on each corn plant there may be developed eighteen million pollen grains and two thousand ovules. The pollen-tube must penetrate the whole length of each thread of corn-silk in order to reach the ovules. 19. What agency carries the pollen grains to the ear? 20. What would happen to a field of corn if the farmer cut off all the tassels as soon as they were formed? 21. Find a tassel before it appears and study it. Secure an ear when only an inch or two long and study it. These should be studied as flower parts. 22. How early can you find the ear? Look at every joint and tell how many ears you find on a young stalk. 23. In studying the ear, take first the husk. Does it resemble the leaf in structure? What is the difference between the outer and the inner husks? 24. Do you believe that the husk is a modified leaf; if so why? In the young ear does each thread of silk extend out to the end of the ear; if so why? 25. Is there a thread of silk for each kernel in the ear? 26. Study corn when it is in the "milk." Is the taste sweet? 27. Does this sweet taste continue as the kernel matures? 28. How is the stalk modified to fit the ear? ENEMIES. The corn has many difficulties to contend with: there are heavy winds, too much or too little rain, hail, and, worst of all, frosts which not only kill it when it is first planted, but also hurt it before it is matured. The corn has living enemies also, such as wire-worms and cut-worms. Our forefathers were much troubled with the mischief which crows did in pulling corn. However, many of our observing farmers to-day say that only in rare instances do the crows injure corn much. The work done by cut-worms is often attributed to crows. 29. Please note in your locality what difficulties the corn has to contend with. If possible make a special study of the damage said to be done by crows. Give the results. LEAFLET XLIII. THE RIPENED CORN.[57] BY ANNA BOTSFORD COMSTOCK. [57] Home Nature-Study Course, Vol. V, No. 1, October, 1903. [Illustration] Every boy and girl living on a farm in New York State twenty-five years or more ago, has in memory a picture like this: a stubbly hill-side field beset with russet shocks of corn and constellations of orange pumpkins, whence might be seen wide valleys filled with purple haze, and far hills bedecked with autumn tapestries woven about emerald patches of new wheat.