FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART I. 75 



GOOD SHAPE OF EARS. 



Fig. 19 illustrates good forms of ears. All are well proportioned, have 

 good butts and tips, the rows are straight and the kernels uniform. All the 

 ears show strength, constitution and good breeding. Ears 1, 3 and 4 would 

 plant well together. Ears 3 and 1 are slightly better in shape than ears 2 

 and 4. 



When we realize the possibilities that are wrapped up in a single ear of 

 corn and then make the careful selection the importance of the subject de- 

 mands, we can, in a few years, greatly increase the value of the corn crop. 



Fig 20. 



EAR WITH BROKEN KERNELS. 



Fig 20 illustrates a condition that exists more frequently than is generally 

 supposed. Externally this ear appeared perfectly sound and in good con- 

 dition. When some of the kernels were removed, however, the extent of 

 the damage was apparent. Not infrequently splendid looking samples are 

 put on exhibition and are no better in this respect than the ear shown in the 

 cut. More frequently such ears, because of their good external appearance, 

 are used for seed and as all the ears are shelled together the worse than 

 worthless condition of the ear is seldom noticed. 



The only outward evidence that this ear was not sound was shown in 

 some rows of kernels being slightly raised above others. This peculiar con- 

 dition is indicative of checked or broken kernels and is probably due to the 

 silks remaining between the rows. When the silks decay the outer covering 

 of the kernel which is in contact with them becomes affected a short dis- 

 tance above the tip. Moisture and heat then cause the kernel to decay and 

 generally the vitality of the kernel is entirely destroyed. (See Fig. 21 for 

 photograph of affected kernels.) The whitish spots shown in the illustra- 

 tion are the lower portions of the kernel below the break; the thin whitish 

 lines near the tips of the outer rows of kernels illustrate how the silks affect 

 the outer coat and make it easy f r decay to set in. 



The fact that such ears appear good from the outside and that they are 

 frequently shelled with others and used for seed is one of the strongest argu- 

 ments that can be advanced in support of shelling each seed ear separately. 

 Not ten per cent of the kernels on this ear would grow and yet it appeared 



