VARIETIES OF MAIZE 



171 



as possible cylindrical. Such an ear holds the largest amount 

 of grain and contains the largest percentage of grain in propor- 

 tion to cob, other things equal. Both the butt and tip shoulo 

 be well filled for same reasons and because this indicates full 

 development and maturity as well as adaptation to soil, latitude 

 or season. (217) Excessive length is not desirable when 

 obtained at the expense of pooily filled butt and tip. A good 

 proportion betvveen circumference and length is three to four, or a 

 circumference of six inches for an ear eight inches long. A good 

 size for the circumference of the cob is from three and two- 

 thirds to four and one-third inches. The cob should be neither 

 too large nor too small. It is evident that of two ears of equal 

 size and compactness, the one with the small cob will contain 

 the more grain. On the other hand, while small cobs usually 



contain the larger proportion of 

 grain, tlie total weight of the ear 

 is often much less and the yield 

 smaller. A large cob that is not 

 obtained at the expense of the 

 depth of the grain will contain 

 the largest amount of grain. Ex- 

 cessively large cobs, however, are 

 objectionable, as they usually carry large percentages of water, 

 thus lowering the keeping quality of the grain and its vitality 

 for seed. This is likely to be true of ears with enlarged butt 

 and ears that are distinctly tapering, as well as making them 

 more difficult to husk on account of the size of the juncture with 

 the shank. In a good ear the shelled maize will occupy the 

 same space as the ear before it was shelled. It is a good rela- 

 tionship where the depth of grain is one-half the dian-^eter of 

 die cob or the circumference of the ear twice the circumference 

 of the cob. The legal standard in most States is seventy 

 pounds of ears and fift}'-six pounds of grain per bushel, or a 

 ratio of cob to grain of one to four or a trifle more. Variations 



Space between rows wel! filled and not 

 well filled. 



