144 



THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



176. Ear characteristics. In choosing seed ears there are a 

 number of characters or qualities, such as maturity and sound- 

 ness, size and shape, character of kernel and germ (Figs. 64, 65, 

 and 66), and uniformity of type, which should be carefully noted, 

 since they indicate yielding capacity or are directly associated 



with quality or breed. 



177. Maturity and 

 soundness. Ears should 

 be well matured, firm, 

 dry, and of good weight 

 for their size and con- 

 dition. Immature corn 

 should be avoided be- 

 cause (i) it will not 

 keep well when stored ; 

 (2) it will not grow 

 strongly when planted ; 

 and (3) it will not pro- 

 duce maximum yields 

 when used as seed. 

 There is not often any 

 danger from lack of 

 maturity in the corn 

 regions south of cen- 

 tral Illinois. 



178. Size and shape 

 of ears. The size of 



ear to choose will depend upon the climate and soil in which 

 the corn is to be grown. Larger ears are chosen for regions 

 having a long growing season and fertile soils, and smaller 

 ears for northern climates or for infertile soils. A well- 

 shaped ear should be nearly cylindrical, that is, should be of 

 almost uniform diameter throughout, should have straight rows 

 running directly from butt to tip, and should be full and strong 

 in the middle portion. Such an ear will shell a large percentage 

 of uniformly shaped kernels. 



FIG. 65. More than surface observation is 

 required in the selection of seed 



The pointed grains, at the right, are from the left ear ; 

 the well-formed grains, at the left, are from the right ear 



