Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-19

The acreage and yield of corn in
! Montana this season has been the
most hopeful sign along the agricuI-
turGi Improvement highway, A. j..
Ogaard. extension agronomIst Of the
Montana State college, declared We'd
nesday in d statement issued through
the radio ~broadcasting service of the
Montana Farmer, published in Great
Falls. The corn shows are going to
reflect the light of optimism, Ogaard
said. Every grower in the state is GO
ing to be afforded an opportunity of
exhibiting his corn and contributing
his bit toward arousing interest and
enthusiasm for the corn in Montana.
The state says in part:
Malta and Miles City Next.
The county fairs are over. The
awards have been made in Billings
and Helena, but corn growers have
gotten their second wind. Several
local shows are on the boards. The
North Montana show at Malta and
the State Corn show at Miles City
loom up along the immediate hori-
xon. The International-head Of them
all-will close the season.
The competition is friendly, but
nevertheless exceedingly close and
keen. picked up exhibits will not
win. The prizes as well as success in
corn growing will come to him who
forms in his own mind a mental pic
ture of a desirable ear and who pro-
perly estimates the relative import
ance of the points which must be con-
sidered in selecting or judging show
corn.
Experience is a good teacher and
the older exhibitors are becoming
quite proficient in selecting show
ears. For those who are exhibiting
for the first time. we submit a dis
cussion of some of the points which
must receive consideration By the ex-
hibitor in making his selections, If he
expects to obtain favorable recogni-
ton from the judge.
Judging by score card cannot be
said to be practical nor as exact
science. A score card is useful. how
ever, in studying corn and in giving
one a better idea of the relative values
Of the various points. The Montana
score card which we issued last year
was designed to meet the demand for
a uniform standard for corn judging
in Montana and an effort was made to
make it conform to the facts now
known regarding various characters
of corn and their relation to yield and
quality of grain.
We have avoided religiously the
emphasis of theoretical or fancy
points for it must be recognized that
if corn shows are to make their full
est contribution toward the cause OF
corn improvement, the STANDARDS Oh
Judging must emphasize those charac-
tiers which are important from the
s%tandpoints of yields and dependable
ity. ,,,.
'Only when the winning exhibits
are a true indication of the proper type
to grow in the region from which they
are exhibited. can a corn show be said
to be contributing in an educational
way toward corn improvement. Care
full experimental work at a number OF
experiment stations have definitely
demonstrated that many theoretical
points are of very little practical i'm
p~ortance. Corn shows too often have
over-emphasized such ideal characters
as depth of kernel. ~roughness of ker-
mel. we'll filled tips and butts and cylin-
drical shape of ear.
Aim Is Utility.
In Montana. Judges are not con
cerned so much with nice ears as
thew are with useful ones. Awards
are made on the basis of an ideal type
of corn for Montana conditions rather
than those of the corn belt. Our
sights are adjusted with due regard
TO available heat units. length OF the
frost free period. moisture supply and
other factors which exert an influence
on the character and type of corn
which can be grown.
cit will be noted that 10 points are
allotted TO termination. We consider
Il 60 thn nt,ndfTnn hNAEil If
Crow to be OF prime consideration
The termination test is the only re
liable Indicator, but a fairly good idea
of vitality can b. obtained by consider
ing n number of points.
THE germ is one living part of the
kernel and should be examined closely.
Bv removing the hull over the germ.
the little root and stem can be studied.
These parts should be plump. cream
colored. bright end waxlike. Frosted
corn will show a yellowish color of
germ. If the germ looks shriveled or
chalky. it is Of low vitality.
In removing kernels for examina
ton. select no more than two at one
point about one third from the butt
end. II the kernel ome out chaffy. it
G mt 70 be immature. Twist the ear
and note whether the cob is solid or
flabby and whether the kernels are
firmly set. Plumr. well developed
kernels set on a rigid cob is evidence
of maturity. The ear and kernels
should look bright and clear.
Is 1t Safer
1.-THE next question of Importance is
the matter of adaptability. While
CALI.