Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-01-20
Everything New and
up-to-Date.
What Constitutes a Good Ear
of Corn.
BY JAMES ATKINSON.

It is no easier 10 select the best ear of
corn out of few dozen than it is to
choose the best animal from group
of good ones. It is generally acknow.
lodged that the accurate Judging of
farm animals requires marked degree
of skill, this being indicated by the
pains taken to select judges for large
exhibitions. When we come to corn
the belief has prevailed that anyone
could perform this skilless task. The
beginning, therefore, of progress in corn
improvement must be an acknowledg.
ment that there is yet much to learned
on this subject. Speaking of two fine
ears of corn. which the writer has be-
fore him, he goes into details and bv
way Of illustration says: To begin with.
they each weigh an even sixteen ounces
ana produced when shelled 1879 and IA
ounces of grain respectively. Be 1t
remembered that sixteen ounce ear
of ordinary corn shells out 1874 5ounces.
Each represents a clearly defined type.
Golden West showing q somewhat
larger space between the rows and
deeper dent in the kernel, thus giving
the surface Of the ear rougher appear
ance.
The color of the grain is uniformly
yellow, while the tips and butts are we'll
covered. In shape they come almost to
the exact point Of being cylindrical.
while the circumference bears the prop.
or relation to the length.
A close examinatio of the kernels In
the case Of these two ears, or any good
corn. eveals the fact that there is
present a large germ and that each
kernel carries its thickness we'll down
to the point. thus indicating what might
be called good constitutional power.
The large germ is sought for, and
valued when found, on account of the
fact that it is rich in oil and protein.
two constituents of high feeding value.
But large germ means more than this.
It means that when such seeds is planted
it's great vitality enables it to overcome
such obstacles as we.ness or coldness
of soil.
Such straightness of row and unifor'
nifty of kernel as referred to are desir.
able for more than one reason. Straight
rows contribute to uniformity in the
size of kernel, while in such cases there
is little waste space between the rows.
But why is uniformity ofkernel desiredF
It is because corn planters are not able
to handle kernels irregular in shape so
we'll as those that are regular. and in
order that uniform planting may be
insured the size and shape of kernel
cannot be too regular. Thus an ear of
corn should be sound in every respect
almost goes without saying. This is
not always indicated by the outward
appearance, as the germ is frequently
injured without it's being visible to the
eye. Because of this it becomes nee.
essary to make an actual test of the
seed from each individual ear before
planting, while their yet remain time
to choose only those ears for seed that
are vital.
BY attaching q given number of
points to each item enumerated we
have the judging score card. For
example; I. Trueness to type or breed
characteristics, 10 points; 2. Shape of
ear. 10 points; 8. Purity,(a) in grain.
points; 4. Vitality or seed condition,
10 points; Tips, S points; s Butts, 5
points; Z kernels. (a) uniformity of, 10
points, 8 Circumference of ear, points;
10. (a) Furrow between rows, 5 points,
(b) space between tips of kernels at cob
points; II, Proportion of corn to cob,
10 points.
There are few corn growers who
would not profit by little practice in
the use of the above score card, as such
practice will deyelope skill in the select
ion of corn for seed.