102 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 



EXPLANATION OP POINTS IN THE SCORE CARD 



1. Length of Ears: The' minimum length of the ear depends on 

 the variety under consideration; thus, the minimum length of Eetd's 

 Yellow Dent in the Central Illinois Division is 9.5 inches, Golden 

 Eagle is 9 inches and White Pearl is 8 inches. The deficiencies in 

 length of all ears (in a ten ear sample) are added together, for every 

 inch thus resulting a cut of two points is made. The length is 

 measured from the butt to the extreme tip. 



2. Circumference of Ears: The minimum circumference, like the 

 length, varies with the variety measurement. The deficiencies in cir- 

 cumference of all ears (in a ten-ear sample) are added together, and for 

 every inch thus resulting a cut of two points is made. The circumference 

 is measured at about one-third the distance from the butt to the tip of 

 the ear. 



3. Color: In judging color, a red cob in white corn or a white 

 cob in yellow corn is cut ten points. For one mixed kernel, a cut of 

 one-fifth of a point is made; for two, two-fifths of a point, and so 

 on up to five or more, when a one point cut is made for each additional 

 off-kernel. Kernels missing may be counted as mixed, at the discre- 

 tion of the judge. Differences in shade of color of grain or cob are 

 scored according to variety characteristics. 



4. Shape of Ears: All ears should be cylindrical with straight rows 

 and with proper proportion of length and circumference. The shape 

 of the ear should conform to the variety type; thus Learning ears 

 should be slightly tapering. 



5. Uniformity of Exhibit: Ears should be uniform in shape, 

 length and circumference. 



6. Tips of Ears: Oval shape and regularly filled out with large 

 dented kernels. In selecting for seed it is sometimes not advisable 

 to insist that the tip be covered. If well covered tips are selected 

 year after year the ears will become shortened and more will be lost 

 than gained. 



7. Butts of Ears: Kernels rounded over the end of the cob in 

 regular manner, leaving a deep depression where shank is removed. 

 Properly filled butts indicate perfect pollination and a relatively high 

 proportion of corn to cob. At present there is not as much stress laid 

 upon good butts and tips as formerly. A good butt, however, is more 

 important than a good tip. 



8. Kernel Uniformity: Kernels from the same ear and from the 

 several ears should be uniform in size and shape. The kernels that 

 have been removed should be carefully compared. Ears should be dis- 

 carded whose kernels are exceptionally large or small, broad or narrow, 

 long or short. Kernel uniformity is more important than ear uni- 

 formity. The planter cannot be made to drop regularly if the kernels 

 are irregular. Other things being equal, too long kernels indicate 

 that the corn will be too late in maturing. The shortest kernels ripen 

 early but do not produce as much corn. Since the general tendency 



NOTE: A part of this chapter pertaining to the explanations of the 

 corn score card was taken in the main from the Eleventh Annual Report 

 of the Illinois Corn Growers' Association. 



