100 



FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



tended by sixty-five Illinois corn growers, was given 

 at the same place. The first score card for students' 

 use was written about 1891. So it can be seen that 

 systematic corn judging is a matter of recent history. 

 The object of corn judging is to compare seed ears 

 of given varieties as to their value for seed purposes. 

 Scales of points, standards of perfection, etc., have 

 been prepared for the important varieties. It is im- 

 possible to quote these score cards here, but the im- 

 portant points will be briefly mentioned. It should 

 be kept in mind that the score cards, etc., are of as- 

 sistance in the study of ears of corn, but the experi- 

 enced judge does not, and the writer believes cannot, 

 solely use them in picking out seed for breeding pur- 

 poses. The important points are: 



1. Maturity. Unless a corn matures it is useless 

 in the region where grown. The ears should be 

 sound, firm, dry, and not show signs of weathering. 



2. Vitality. Unless a corn will grow it is useless 

 for seed purposes. The germ should be large, plump, 

 bright and show indications of perfect preservation of 

 vitality. 



3. Yield. Unless a corn produces a profitable 

 yield it is not worth planting under normal conditions. 

 The higher the yield of shelled corn the better the 

 corn. As a rule high yield is associated with large, 



WELL AND POORLY DEVELOPED CORN AT TIPS. 



