The Bad River news. [volume] (Philip, Stanley County, S.D.) 19??-1912, 1909-09-02
How to Select Sample Corn for
the Fair

ISOW ~ SCiCNl SdiiJp!C AOih IOt
the Fair
Just at present many farmers,
we hope, are considering the selec-
ton of their corn exhibits for the
Central Stanley County Fair. 1t
is no easy task to select a high
class exhibit, and for the guidance
of those who may be interested in
the matter, we publish the follow
ing excellent article by Prof. NJ.
L. Bowman of the Iowa State
College at Ames.
There are a great many differ
ent points to be taken into con-
sideration in selecting a sample of
corn for show purposes. An ear
of general utility should always be
uppermost in mind. We often
find at corn-judging contests a
ten-ear sample of corn in which
each ear. while it may be very
servicable, differs so much from
the other ears in the sample that
it is impossible for the sample to
rank high in the competition.
When choosing a sample of corn,
like the choosing of animals for
breeding purposes, it is necessary
that there be a definite type in
mind and that each ear of the
sample conform as near as possible
to that type. The type will vary
according to the variety of corn
which is being grown, and this
type should be firmly fixed in the
mind of the one who intends to
show.
''The ears should be, as far as
possible, of the same shape, of
uniform length and circumference.
The kernels of each ear should
conform to each other throughout,
being of uniform size and color.
Too often the regularity of kernels
is lost sight of an ear will be dis
played in which the kernels have
. tendency to run in various direc-
tions, rs we'll as being of numer-
Gus sizes. No matter how we'll
matured an ear may be, having a
desirable shape, of good size, and
shelling q high per cent of corn to
cob, If the kernels are very irregu-
lar and of different sizes it is i'm
possible for that ear to rank high
as seed ear. This applies to
our dent varieties, all of which we
expect to be regular and uniform
in kernel.
The butts and tips should be
we'll filled with kernels of q regu-
lsr, uniform size. The tendency
is for the kernels to be large and
Of irregular size at the butt, while
often small and shallow 1t the tip.
An ear should not be thrown out
because the tip is not completely
covered. A good butt is more
essential than good tip; it is,
however, very essential that there
be . large amount of good corn
between the butt and the tip.
There is another class OF
samples that is very frequently
found at corn-judging contests, in
which the ears are of quite uni
form size and shape, yet the ker.
nels are greatly different. The
width and thickness of the kernels
in each respective ear, together
with the smooth surface, can easi.
" b told by merely looking a
tho ear and too frequently right
here Is where the examination
stops. The length Of kerne
should b examined as we'll.
Very frequently 1t corn-judg
ing contests / am asked the follow
ing question by exhibitors: ''HaI
. person . right to take kcrnel'
out Of IN ear and, examine then
before showingl" He most cor
tainly has. Il i impossible fol
him TO be sure regarding th'
depth Of The kernel without max
inG an examination. The be-