410 



THE FARMERS HANDHOOK. 



heavy. ears by a rough estimation of weight in the hand. One who keeps 

 this in mind will find several ears of good size and appearance in the rejecl 

 heap at the end of the day's work. The outside appearance of the ear is 

 sometimes deceptive, but the rough estimation of the weight is found to be a 

 very reliable guide in selecting ears with good solid weighty grain. 



The shape of the ear varies from nearly cylindrical to very tapering. A- a 

 general rule, the cylindrical ear is the more desirable type for selection, 

 because it not only carries more grain than a tapering ear but also grain of 

 more uniform size, shape, and depth. Straight rows and regular grain are 

 also desirable features. As to the size of the core, it is well to remember 

 that the larger the core the more grain it can carry, and there is no objection 



The three ears on the left have too small a core and circumference of ear for their length. It 

 will readily be observed that they will not shell as much grain as the ears with cores of moderate 

 size on the right. The three centre ears have too thick a core and too large a circumference for 

 their length. 



The ears on the right show straight regular rows of uniform grain, while those on the left have irregular 

 rows and grain, and are undesirable for seed. 



