90 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



can be easily seen. We are now in a position to examine the ears more 

 critically. All ears with very large or small kernels should be thrown 

 out, no matter how perfect they are in other respects. The same is true 

 of all ears with very short or long narrow grains and the irregular butt 

 and tip kernels should be shelled off. It is also essential that we look 

 for kernels of a good shape and with large germs which are neither col- 

 ored, stained or wrinkled, kernels that are free from chaff and of good 

 color. 



Pairs of kernels numbers 1, 2, 5 and 6 show good, deep, well-filled germs, thu« 

 indicating strong vitality and good feeding value. Numbers 3, 4 and 7 show short germs 

 and this indicates weak vitality and low feeding value. No. 8 shows wrinkled germs 

 indicating immaturity and weakened vitality. No. 13 shows chaff adhering indicating lack 

 of maturity. No. 12 shows broken outer covering and undesirable state of the cuticle. 

 No. 10 shows darkened end and is generally unhealthy, and of low vitality. No. 9 shows 

 good backs of kernels. 



The color and size of the cob should be noted: A white cob in white 

 corn and a red cob in yellow corn. A small cob is desirable, as it is usual- 

 ly associated with a deep kernel and it also contains less moisture, and 

 so long as moisture is in the cob it will be impossible to dry the kernel 

 sufficiently to prevent harm from frost. 



The ears finally chosen should have kernels of uniform size and 

 shape; the kernels to taper slightly, but be well filled down at the tip. 



Then each ear should be shelled by itself, so that it can be exam- 

 ined more closely before it goes in with the rest of the corn. Place the 

 kernels on a screen or seive and by hand picking sort out all irregular, 

 broken or injured kernels and those with stained, discolored or wrin- 

 kled kernels. After this process the corn is ready to be introduced to the 

 planter. Set the planter up on blocks in some conveient place and with 

 the corn in the planter box turn the wheel at about the rate it would 



