Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-06-28

The first point in judging seed corn
is to determine its trueness to the type
or breed characteristics. There are
breeds of corn, like breeds Of cattle,
which have peculiar colors or forms
which distinguish them; as for In
stance, the Silver King is white va
riety and the Golden Glow a yellow
variety. It is difficult to distinguish
between breeds of the same color,
but this may be learned by experience
in handling corn of different breeds.
In pure corn of any breed there are
certain marks which can be easily
recognized.
The ideal ear is cylindrical, conform
ing to the standard for the variety and
not crooked or too tapering.
1t is as difficult to find an ear OF
corn perfect in shape as 1t is to find
COWS, horses and sheep with perfect
forms. The shape Of ears Of the diff
ferent varieties Of corn differ as
widely as the shape and form of the
different pure breeds Of cattle. Each
class and variety has characteristic
shape peculiar to itself. For example,
Silver King corn has an ear OF me-
dunn length, large in circumference,
while the Golden Glow has an ear con-
siderably shorter and finer in. cob and
general conformation.
The most desirably shaped ear Is
cylindrical from butt TO tip. Where
ears are inclined to taper, 1t will be
noticed that two or four rows, as
rule, are dropped near the middle OF
the ear. In scoring corn, take into
consideration the soil and climatic con-
ditions In which the corn is grown.
The shape of desirable ear for cen
trail Illinois would differ in many re-
spects from the shape most desirable
for Wisconsin, The shorter growing
season in Wisconsin demands a shall
lower kernel and smaller ear to en-
able the corn to mature in a short
! season.
The color Of the grain should be uni
form and true to the color standard
for the variety, free from missing or
discolored kernels.
The color of the cob should be q
bright cherry red for yellow corn and
pure white for white corn.
The color Of the corn varies with
the breed. The Silver King corn has
cream color, while the Boone Coun-
ty White has pearly white color.
Where these shades predominant they
become characteristic Of the breeds.
Yellow breeds vary slightly in color
from pale yellow to deep orange,
and can only be known by thorough
acquaintance.
A bright cherry red cob denotes
health and vigor in corn and pale or
dark red cob denotes lack of constitu-
tion or vitality. The white corn cobs
should be a glistening white and not
dead pale color.
Some farmers prefer to grow corn OF
certain colors. From tests made by
breeders of corn, and by experiment
stations, it has been found that in
general, color makes no difference SO
far as feeding value is concerned, and
it is merely matter Of choice OF the
grower as to the color Of corn he de-
sires.
Market condition means general eX-
cellence and the degree Of ripeness or
maturity. Corn that shows tendency
to be loose on the cob with wide
spaces between the kernels should be
scored off severely under market con-
dition.
When corn is scored from the feed
er's standpoint it is not cut so severe
ly as from the growers or seedsman's
standpoint. When we consider that a
busheI of corn plants about six acres
and realize the importance to be at
tached to uniformity of stand We see
the value of considering the market
condition from the growers standpoint
In a critical way.
Corn will gradually become accus'
toned to it's surroundings and will ad.
just itself to varying conditions Of soil
and climate. BY selecting those ears
for seed that show good market con-
dition, even If there be but few In
the entire field, the earliness Of the
corn can be improved materially.
The kernels should extend over the
tip of the ear in regular rows, and be
uniform in size and shape. They should
extend over the butt Of the ear in reg
ular rows and be we'll developed and
uniform.
A perfect tip has central kernel
called the cap, which Is completely
surrounded with uniform kernels. A
perfect tip is rarely found, but those
which come nearest to the ideal should
be chosen, provided it is not at the ex.