EXERCISE XX. 

 CORN— DESCRIPTIVE TERMS. 



Supplies for a Laboratory Section of Twelve. Six samples of typical Ried'a Yellow Dent; six samples of 

 typical Learning; six sample* of Hear Paw; at least twenty-four ears of other corn illustrating as great a range 

 in shape, color, etc., as possible to obtain. 



INTRODUCTION. A study of corn demands not only close observation but accurate 

 descriptive terms as well. For this reason it is necessary to make a study of terms com- 

 monly used in careful descriptions of corn. It must be understood that it is not the purpose 

 of this study to bring out good or poor qualities in ears of corn. For instance, three dif- 

 ferent shapes of corn are readily recognized — cylindrical, tapering and very tapering. The 

 cylindrical shape is considered ideal, yet such experimental tests as have been made prove 

 for it no superiority in yield. The primary idea of this descriptive work is to point out dif- 

 ferences in ears and to suggest definite terms by which these differences may be clearly 

 conveyed from one person to another. 



DIRECTIONS. Read carefully the following explanation of descriptive terms. Then 

 turn to the descriptive outline form, page 65, and fill in the description of ten or more ears 

 "making use of such terms as are pointed out in in the introductory explanation. 



1. The shape of an ear may be described as almost cylindrical, tapering, or very taper- 

 ing. For example, typical Ried'a Yellow Dent approaches the cylindrical while Learning us- 

 ually tapers considerably. 



Figs. 28-30. 



Shapes f.i Ears. 



Cylindrical Tapering Very tapering 



(Anderson.) 



2. The" length and circumference may be slated in inches. 



3. The color of a variety is usually yellow, white, red or variegated. 



4. Terms descriptive of indentation of the kernel are dentless, dimple dented, moderately 

 dented, deeply-dented and pinch-dented. Sometimes the crown of the kernel takes such a form 

 as to be properly described as hooked. 



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