20 The Bulletin. 



the unimproved type of corn. It is usually accompanied by a com- 

 paratively small number of rows to the ear, and consequently a small 

 production of corn to the ear. A wide space between the tips of the 

 kernels at the cob is an indication of poorly shaped kernels, usually low 

 in vitality and lacking in the most important elements of composition. 

 This spacing is hard to estimate without shelling a portion of several 

 rows and examining the kernels as they are attached to the cob, but it is 

 possible to get an idea as to the spacing by examining the general shape 

 of the keniels. Ears decidedly off in spacing of rows should never be 

 selected for seed or show purposes. In Fig. 6 the ear on the right has 

 good spacing of kernels while the other two are too wide between the 

 rows and the ear on the left has the further objection of having the 



rows twisting. 



PER CENT OF SHELLED CORN TO THE EAR. 



By noticing the score card you will see that this point is given the 

 highest score of any point. This is because the yield of corn is the all- 

 important consideration. The other points, when considered, will help 

 you to obtain a high yield, but the yield still holds the highest place. 

 The only way to judge this accurately is to weigh the ear before shelling 

 and then to weigh the grain and cob separately, and from these figures to 

 compute the per cent of grain. But this is not practical to one who is 

 going to exhibit his corn. It can be estimated pretty closely by taking 

 into account the shape and depth of the kernels, the filling out of the 

 butt and the tip, and the size of the cob, and degree of maturity. In 

 other words, by summing up all the other points you can estimate as to 

 how near it comes to a perfect ear and in this way get at the per cent of 

 shelled corn. A perfect ear should shell out 86 per cent. 



All the above points have been touched on more or less fully except 

 the size of the cob. The cob should be large enough to give ample room 

 for the usual number of rows, 16 to 20, differing with the variety ; but 

 not so large that it will take in its growth the strength that should go 

 into the production of grain. And again, the cob should not be so small 

 that it looks out of proportion with the depth of the kernel and can not 

 properly support the kernels. An over large cob is usually porous and 

 soft and readily absorbs moisture, thereby affording an ideal place for 

 disease and injury to the keeping qualities of the corn. 



SHAPE OF THE KERNELS. 



The kernels vary in shape with the different varieties of corn. In 

 general, the kernels should be wedge shape, because this shape permits 

 the greatest possible gro\\nh of corn to the cob. In order for the rows of 

 kernels to fit snugly together from the croum to the tip it is necessary to 

 have them wedge shaped and straight edged. If this does not occur, the 

 middle of the kernel will touch and the furrow or space at the crown 

 and the space at the tip will be too large. A little space lost in one ear 

 does not amount to very much, yet when there is a loss in every ear in 

 an acre it will amount to a considerable amount. While the kernels, in 

 width should be wedge shaped, the thickness at the crown and tip should 



