30 AGRICULTURE 



five points, one hundred points therefore being a perfect 

 score. 



The first great question about an ear is: Will it yield 

 well ; has it a good constitution, so that it will do well even 

 under unfavorable conditions ? The second question is : Will 

 it ripen, and not get caught by the frost and so produce a 

 crop of soft corn ? The third question is : Will it grow, is it 

 of good vitality, so that it will give a good stand, and strong 

 plants ? The fourth question is : Does it show improvement; 

 that is, is it a clear type that will breed true, and not show 

 mixed breeds ? 



Let us study these four points a little more in detail, and 

 then we shall be ready to score our samples according to 

 the points of the score-card. (Sample score-cards should 

 be secured for the class from the state agricultural college 

 or the United States Department of Agriculture.) 



Will the ear yield? The chief factors in the yield are 

 the size of ear, depth of kernel, filling at tip and butt, and 

 reasonably close set rows. The size of the ear must be 

 adapted to the locality. Much larger ears can be raised in 

 Missouri, for example, than in Minnesota, because of the 

 difference in length of season. 



Will the ear ripen? In general, ears that have a large 

 circumference are slower in ripening than slender ears. 

 Long kernels also indicate late maturity, as do large, coarse, 

 pithy cobs. Such characteristics are therefore not adapted 

 to regions having short seasons. 



Will the ear grow? In an ear of good vitality the 

 grain is of a bright and cheerful appearance, and the germ 

 and embryo of clear whitish color, somewhat shiny from 

 the oil it contains. And discoloring or signs of molding 

 indicate lack of vitality. 



Does the corn show improvement? In corn that is 

 improving instead of running out. the color is clear and 



