The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-04-15
Uniformity.


In selecting seed corn, the ears should be
of uniform size, shape, color and lndenta,
ton. A uniform product is the result of good
selection and breeding, so that IT is very i'm
portant that The ears be uniform. The variety
type should be strong. In Boone County
White, the characteristics ofthis variety should
he we'll developed. This is one of the most
important points connected with the study of
seed corn. Ii is impossible at present to de-
scrire these points so that the student may
become familiar with the variety type without
actual study of the varieties.
shape of Ears.
The shape of the ears should be cylindrical.
This cylindrical shape carried from the butt
10 he tip Of the ear means an even. regular,
deep kernel, resulting in large per cent. OF
corn to cob. Ia tapering ears, the kernels
become irregular at the tip, some of the rows
are lost, and the proportion of corn to cob
becomes small This type is undesirable for
every purpose. The rows of kernels should
run parallel with the cob, straight and regu-
lar If some of the kernels are not filled out,
the adjoining kernels swell out into irregular
shapes in an effort to occupy all of the space.
Ia sbeling the ears for seed, the irregular
kernels on the butts and tips of the ears should
he shelied off and discarded.
color Of Ears.
II yellow earn, the cob should be a deep
red. aud if white corn. the cob should be
pure white. In the present standard varie.
lies. the color has not been given particular
attention and is frequently not pure. This
mixing of color indicated mixing OF varieties,
which is injurious to the development of i'm
proved varieties. Mixture between white and
yellow varieties is indicated by white cap in
the yellow ears, and yellowish cast to the
tlin,y portion of the kernel in the white ear.
Market Conditions
The ear shonld he sound and firm; this in.
dicates that the ear has fully matared and
dried ont IN the season where il was grown.
lf The ear Is loose. the kernels shr;veied, i,
Indicates that the enr ~ cnafly and has not
fully maiured under the conditions where II
was grown.
Tips of Ears.
The tips should be filed with regular rows
Of kernels, so that no point of the cob projects
beyond the kernels of corn. Poorly filled out
ears indicate a small proportion ofeorn to cob
aud poor selection. By selecting well filled
out ears, the maturity Of the different parts oi
the ear Is brought TO approximately the same
season. so that the pollen produced by va.
riety will ba sufficient to supply the entire ear
on all the stalks in the field.
butts OF Ears.
The butt of the ear should he filled out
about the shank. so that a medium sized shank
will be produced. II has been possible TO
make the kernels ia the bntt Ill out 10 such
an extent that The shank has been crowded 80
small tha. il will not support the ear on the
stalk. On the other hand, big. poorly filled
out butt IS usually accompanied by large.
coarse shank, difficult to break in husking and
with an unusual amount OF husk in proportion
TO the size OF the ear In such ears fungus
diseases. as dry.rot. frequently destroy the ear
Of corn.
InIfermIty of Kernel
The kernels should be of the same size.
shape and color, and should be of the type OF
the variety. The uniformity of kernels en-
ablss the grower to secure an even stand, from
the fact that the planter will drop regular
number Of kernels. To study kernels, take
out two Of the kernels from about one-ihird
the distance from the butt TO the tipend and
lay them beside the ear for close examination.
shape of the Kernel.
The best shape OF ksrael is that OF wedge.
This shape will permit Of the largest number
Of rows Of kernels on cob. This shape has
been developed gs the result of breeding, aud
makes il possible for ears to have from twenty
70 ,wsnly.foar rows Of kernels, resulting in a
large per cent Of corn 20 cob. The kernel
is the unit Of the ear, and great attention
should be paid TO the deyelpmen, Of the ker
space.
By space between rows IS meant the fnrrow
tween the tops of the rows Of kernels and
space between the tips of,he kernel attht
b. Il indicates reversien TO the original
lllow kernel type of corn, which is unproiit
e to the preseuG-day corn grower. There
puld be no farrows or space. and with the
proved types of kernels there is no space
on the ears
Length
The length will vary with the variety. In
aeral. good ear Of corn is between ten and
wen inches in length. Measure the length
bm the extreme buit to tip.