CHAPTER VIII 

 ' HARVESTING 



THE question when to harvest is always 

 a perplexing one to the amateur. 

 Generally, the amateur has to break down 

 the husk and actually see the kernels before 

 he is sure that the corn is mature enough 

 for harvesting. However, with a little 

 experience, the amateur may merely grasp 

 the corn in his hands, and if the corn feels 

 firm and full underneath the husk, as a 

 general rule it is mature enough. If this 

 is not practiced, the thumb may be pressed 

 against the husk, and if there is a ''give" 

 of the kernels, it is then known that the 

 corn is fit for eating. These are the tests 

 which will demonstrate whether the corn 

 is in the milk or not. 



In severing the ear from the stalk, it is 

 necessary to grasp the stem of the ear just 

 below the ear and grasp the butt of the 

 ear in the other hand, bending the hands 

 in opposite directions, the same as one 

 would bend a piece of whalebone. 



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