86 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



opposite color shall bar the exhibit. This is not considered in mixed 

 corn, except in such varieties as run true to type, such as Calico, Bloody 

 Butcher and Red. 



SHAPE OF EAR (lo). 



Ears should be as nearly cylindrical as possible, unless it is a recog- 

 nized characteristic of the ears of the particular variety under considera- 

 tion to be tapering. A cylindrical ear usually means a greater per cent 

 of corn to cob and a larger number of kernels of uniform size and shape 

 for planting. (Leaming is quite tapering, Reid's_ Yellow Dent is slight- 

 ly tapering, Boone Co. White, Silver Mine and St. Charles White are 

 nearly cyclindrical.) Cut one-half point for each ear that tapers too 

 greatly. 



PROPORTION OF LENGTH AND CIRCUMFERENCE (lO). 



It is believed that the highest yield of corn per acre will be gotten 

 from ears having a ratio of circumference to length approximately 3 to 

 4, or the circumference measured at a point one-third the distance from 

 butt to tip should be three-fourths the length. Ears that are too short 

 and thick, or ears too long and slim, are to be avoided. A ten-inch 

 ear should be approximately seven and one-half inches in circumference. 

 A tape line should be used in making these measurements, although 

 a little practice will enable one to judge accurately with the eye. It 

 is recognized that in the southern part of the State corn grows larger 

 than in the northern part of the State, and the same is true of rich lands 

 as compared with thin lands. The same variety will vary some under 

 these different conditions. No definite rules can therefore be laid 

 down regarding the size of ears of any variety when considering the 

 State as a whole. 



SHAPE AND UNIFORMITY OF KERNELS (lo). 



The shape and unif<»niiity of kernels is a very important considera- 

 tion. The kernels of the whole exhibit must be imiform in size and 

 shape in order to allow of accurate (h"o[)i)ing by tlic planter. The most 

 ideal type of kernel is one slightly wedge-shaped but not pointed, the 

 length of which is approximately i 1-2 times as great as the width at the 

 widest part. They should have a good thickness carried evenly the 

 length of the kernel and thc\ should be sufficiently wide at the tip to 

 allow of a good development (jf gvrm. Remove three kernels from one 

 side of each ear near the middle, laying them at the end of the ear for 

 comparison. For each car showing kernels of poor shape, or kernels 



