1. Six deviating lines, originating as mutations in long inbred strains, have been compared in the heterozygous condition with their normal and deviating homozygous parental lines. In all cases there was an increase in size of plant (height, width of leaf, width of stalk) and in yield of grain and a hastening of the time of flowering when compared to the mean of the parents. When compared to the larger or earlier parent in each case there are definite increases in yield in four cases ranging from 17 to 104 per cent. Increases in height in four cases varied from 3 to 9 per cent over the taller parent. Time of flowering was intermediate in two cases and earlier than the earlier parent in two cases.

When outcrossed to unrelated normal lines and compared to the same crosses made with the normal parent the differences are small and show significant increases for the deviating line in only one case. Due to the very dry season and poor location this trial is not as conclusive as it may be possible to obtain.

In every case except one the deviating line is less productive than the line from which it originated and thus appears to be a degenerative change. A narrow leaf variation produces taller plants which flower earlier than the normal line. The stalk is more slender and has much less leaf area. This deviating line in previous years has been noticeably less productive but in the replicated yield test this last year it proved to be considerably more productive. Possibly this is due to the earlier maturity in a very dry year. If it proves to be more productive from now on it will be the first variation in inbred corn to be better in ability to reproduce its kind.