6lO BOARD OF AGRlCULTUfeE. 



TIPS OF EARS. 



The tips should be fiHed with regular rows of kernels, so that no point 

 of the cob projects beyond the kernels of corn. Poorly filled out ears 

 indicate a small proportion of corn to cob and poor selection. By selecting 

 well tilled out ears, the maturity of the different parts of the ear is 

 brought to the same season, so that the pollen produced by a variety will 

 be sufficient to supply the entire ear on all of the stalks in the field. 



BUTTS OF EARS. 



The butt of the ear should be filled out about the shank, so that a 

 medium-sized shank will be produced. It has been possible to make the 

 kernels in the butt fill out to such an extent that the shank has been 

 crowded so small that it will not support the ear on the stalk. On the 

 other hand, a big, poorly filled out butt is usually accompanied by a large, 

 coarse shank, diflicult to break in husking and an unusual amount of 

 husk in proportion to the size of the ear. In such ears fungous diseases, 

 as dry rot, frequently develop in the ear of corn. 



UNIFORMITY OF KERNEL. 



The kernels should be of the same shape, size and color, and should 

 be of the type of the variety. To study kernels, take out the kernels 

 from about one-third the distance from the butt to the tip and lay beside 

 the ear. 



SHAPE OF KERNEL,. 



The best shape of kernel is a wedge. This shape will permit of the 

 largest number of rows of kernels on cob. This shape is the result of 

 breeding and makes possible ears with twenty to twenty-four rows of 

 kernels and a large per cent, of corn. The kernel is the unit of the ear, 

 and great attention should be paid to the development of the kernel. 



SPACE. 



By space between rows is meant the furrow between the tops of the 

 rows of kernels. It indicates a reversion to the original shallow kernel 

 type of corn, which is unprofitable to the present day corn grower. There 

 should be no space, and with the improved types of kernels there is no 

 space on the ears. 



LENGTH. 



The length will vary with the variety. In general, a good ear of corn 

 is about between 10 to 11 inches in length. Measure the length from 

 the extreme butt to tip. 



