Rural School Leaflet. 1053 



4. Note the little growth on the leaf where it comes off at an angle 

 from the stalk. Do you think this prevents the rain from flowing 

 down between the stalk and the clasping leaf? 



5. Describe the veins in the corn leaf; how do the veins running in a 

 lengthwise direction help strengthen the leaf? Are the edges of the 

 leaf straight or ruffled? Of what use is this? 



6. Describe the roots of the com plant. Do they go deep into the 

 ground? Describe the brace-roots. How do they help the plant to 

 stand firm against the force of the wind? How far up the stem do the 

 brace-roots come off? 



7. Where on the cornstalk are the ears borne? How many ears on a 

 stalk? Remove an ear and describe how the stalk is shaped to fit the ear. 



8. Examine the outside husks and compare them with the corn leaves. 

 What facts indicate that the corn husk is a changed leaf? 



9. Describe how the inner husks differ from those outside in color 

 and in texture. 



10. After removing all the husks, carefully examine the ear and note 

 whether there is a thread of com silk for every kernel. Is there an 

 equal amount of the silk lying between every two rows of kernels? 

 Does the tip of each thread of silk reach up to the tip of the ear? 



11. How many rows of kernels are there on the ear of com? How 

 many kernels in a row? 



12. How many on the whole ear? 



13. Do any of the rows of kernels disappear toward the tip of the ear? 

 If so, do they disappear in pairs? 



14. Study a corn cob with no corn on it and note whether the rows of 

 sockets in which the kernels grew are in distinct pairs. 



15. Break an ear of corn in two and sketch the broken end, showing 

 the relation of the cob to the kernels. 



16. How many kinds of flowers are there on the cornstalk? Describe 

 the flowers in which the pollen is born. How does the pollen reach 

 the pistillate flower, which is to grow into an ear of corn? 



17. If you find that on an ear of corn a kernel is blasted, what 

 happened to it? 



18. If you plant sweet corn and field corn and black and white vari- 

 eties of sweet corn near each other what is the result? Why does this 

 happen? How does the corn look during a drought? 



19. What are the points for judging a perfect ear of com? 



20. How many varieties of corn do you know? What is the difference 

 between the Dent and the Flint varieties? Which ripens earlier? Which 

 is more used for silage? Why? 



