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 indenta
ton. A uniform product is the result of good
selection and breeding, SO that it is very im-
portant that the ears be uniform. The variety
type should be strong. In Boone County
White, the characteristics ofthis variety should
be well developed. This is one of the most
important points connected with the study of
seed corn. II is impossible at present to de-
,crite these points 50 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 he cylindrical
This cylindrical shape carried from the butt
To the lip "t the ear means an even, regular,
deep kernel, resulting in large per cent. of
corn 10 cob. In tapering ears, the kernels
become irregular ut 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.
In shelling the ears for seed, the irregular
kernels on the butts and tips Of the ears should
be shelled off and discarded
Color OF Ears.
fla Yellow corn, the cob should he a deer
red, and if white corn, the cob should be
pure white. In the present standard varIe
ties. the color has not been given particula,
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 Il yellowish cast to the
hnty portion of the kernel i'll the white ear.
Market Conditions.
The ear should he sound and firm; this i'll
dcateS that the ear has fully matured and
dried Gur in the season where il was grown
If The ear is loose, the kernels shrivcled, il
indicates that the ear is chaiiy aud has no
fully nlatured under the conditions where il
was grown.
Tips of Ears.
The tips should be filled with regular rows
Of kernels, so that no point Of the cob projects
beyond the kernels of corn. Poorly filled on
ears indicate small proportion ofcorn to col
and poor selection. BY selecting well filled
ont ears, the maturity of the different parts o
the ear is brought to approximately the SAINT
season. SO that the pollen produced by "a va
rieiy will be sufficient to supply the entire eai
on all the stalks in the field.
Rutfs of Ears.
The butt of the ear should be filled ou
about the shank, SO that q medium sized shank
will be produced 1t has been possible IL
make the kernels in The butt I'LL out TO sucl
an extent that the shank has been crowded st
small that it will not support the ear on th'
stalk On the other hand, a big, poorly filled
out butt is usually accompanied by large
coarse shank, difficult to break in husking ant
with an unusual amount of husk in proportion
to The size of the ear. In such ears tungu:
diseases, as dry.rot, frequently destroy the ea
OF corn.
Uniformity of Kernel.
The kernels should be of the same size
shape and color, and should be Of the type o
the variety. The uniformity of kernels en-
ables the grower to secure an even stand, from
the fact that the planter will drop a regula
number of kernels. To study kernels, tax
out two of the kernels from about one -thirt
the distance from the butt to the tipend an
lay them beside the ear for close examination
shape of the Kernel.
The best shape of kernel is that of wedge
This shape will permit of the largest numbe
Of rows Of kernels on cob. This shape ha
been developed as the result of breeding, ant
makes it possible for ears to have from twent
to twenty-fou rows of kernels. resulting III
large per cent. of corn to cob. The kernt
is the unit of the ear. and great attentio
should be paid to the development Of the kel
mel.
Space.
By space between rows is meant the turro
between the tops of the rows of kernels an
the space between the tips ofthe kernel at tn
cob. 1t indicates q reverSion to the origins
shallow. kernel type of corn, which is unprof1
able to the present.day corn. grower. Their
should be no burrows or space. and with tn
improved types of kernels there is no spac
lost on the ears.
Length.
The length will vary with the variety. Ii
general IA good ear of corn is between ten an.
eleven inches in length. Measure the length
from the extreme butt to tip.