SELECTING OR JUDGING SEED-CORN 133 



medium-sized depression where the ear stalk or shank was 

 attached to the cob. Stand the ear on end. If the butt is 

 even, as it should be, the ear will stand erect or vertical. 

 An ear with butt much larger than the remainder of the ear, 

 or with several extra, short rows of grains, is badly shaped. 



Uniformity of kernels. Except the grains near the ends 

 of the ear, the kernels on one ear and in one variety should 

 be nearly similar in shape, size, and de- 

 gree of denting on the top. When corn 

 is planted by machinery, it is important 

 for the grains to be of one size, so that 

 the same number may be dropped in each 

 hill. 



Shape of kernels. The grains are 

 most compactly arranged when they are 

 almost square-shouldered, both at the 

 crown or top, and next the cob. A grain 

 rounded at the top wastes space and is 

 apt to be short. A well-shaped kernel 

 is well filled next to the cob, giving room 



for a large germ. The larger the germ, FlG - 8 3- CROSS 



SECTIONS THROUGH 

 the better. The gram should be large, EARS OF CORN 



and it is best when the shape is like i, grains too short; , 

 numbers I, 2, 8, 9 (Fig. 82). > much spac f b t 



' ^ \ j tween rows and cob 



Length of ear. The best length dif- too small; 3, good 

 fers for different varieties. If the ears shape of kernels ' 

 are short, the yield is reduced. If they are unusually 

 long, there is danger that the ear may not be well covered 

 by the shuck. In varieties bearing only one ear to the 

 plant, the ear should generally be more than nine inches long. 



