The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1907-08-29
Boys Corn Contest.
(BY p ] ,EwETT J

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thug TO the boys in the various con-
tests in regard to selecting and pre-
pairing their exhibits. / am not an
expert In judging corn, bus have
learned a few things that may be Of
benefit, and would like TO see all the
boys have as nearly an equal chance
as possible.
lis one thing to grow q number
Of good ears Of corn. and another to
know which are the best ones and
why. Isuppose that when you regis-
tered In your contest, you received 9
small folder containing the rules Of
the contest, points on selecting an
exhibit, and the official score card Of
the Mo. Corn Growers Association
by which the corn win be judged. II
you have lost IL, ges another.
The object Of the association named
IL 70 promote the growth Of more
and better corn In the state. To do
this Il IL necessary to know what
constitutes a good ear that We may
select only that kind for planting.
and for q standard In Judging the
association adopted the score card
on the back Of your folder, which IL
practically the same as that Of all
the other corn growing states.
This card will try to explain: A
perfect ear Is given 100 points, and
you WILL see after each specification Q
number, s, 10 or Is, which means
that II that feature is perfect, il Is en-
titled to that many points.
The first specification is: "Uni-
iormity oil Exhibit, Is" This means
that your - ears should be alike.
The same length, the same color, the
same number Of rows, the same kind
Of kernels, In fact every ear as near
like all the others as possible. That
this is the most important feature Is
shown by Its being given the most
points, Is.
Maturity and market condition,
TO-" Means that corn must be ripe,
dry and sound. II the cob Is not as
dry as the kernels, the ear will be
"chsffy." Must not have rotten
kernels. Important enough for 10
points.
Purity as shown by color OF ker.
nels and cob, 5.5." Mixtures In
stock or grains are not as good as
"pure BREEDS" White corn must not
be mixed with yellow nor red or vice
versa. Yellow shows mixture with
white on cap Of kernel; white with
yellow or red on sides. Cobs should
be all white or all red.
"Shape Of ear, TO-" The ear that
tapers least will have the most corn,
II kernels are the same length. lift
tapers, 1t will lose two or more rows
OF kernels, as II nears the point, or
they will grow narrower making &C.
curate planting impossible. The ear
should be cylindrical in shape, and
the rows should run straight from
butt to tip.
proportion of length and circum-
ference, TO-" The best ear is neither
long and slim nor short and thick.
The Ideal proportion is the eircumfer-
ence two inches from butt to be three.
iourths the length: A 10 inch ear
X inches around.
"Shape and uniformity Of kernels,
TO-" A kernel should be nearly fat
across the top and little narrower
at the cob. This shape will not leave
space between the rows either at the
bottom or at the top. They should
be Of same thickness for the full
length, or there will be waste ofspace
and weight. II they taper TO appoint
either In width or thickness, the germ
Win be cramped, and when planted
viii not make . vigorous growth.
Character Of germ, TO-" Thegerm
or "chit" d that part Of q kernel
shat sprouts. II also contains all
the oil. Should be regular In shape
and the larger the better. Should
not be shriveled but plump and
glossy, 80 that when planted the
growth VIII be strong and vigorous.
Very important.
aButts, g." These should bs cup
shaped and wen AIled with even kef.
nsls q good lsngth. Ths shank b
firm and NOT too sAlan or Il Win blow
| on tn etalk. neither 700 larRe or n