FIELD AND LABORATORY EXERCISES 203 



FIELD AND LABORATORY EXERCISES 



1. Obtain samples of corn on the cob, getting all varieties and types ob- 

 tainable for your state and for your neighborhood. 



2. Types of Corn. Make type studies of the several varieties of dent corn, 

 comparing them in number of rows to the cob, depth of kernel, and size of cob. 

 Which varieties seem to mature best or earliest? 



3. Scoring Corn. Compare the ears in a sample of ten with respect to 

 best corn to meet the requirements of the score card. This exercise should 

 be repeated with a number of ten-ear samples so that some accuracy and 

 speed may be attained in selecting and scoring corn. 



4. Composition of Kernels. Make cross sections and longitudinal sec- 

 tions of two kernels from each ear in corn of different types or different varie- 

 ties. Compare the kernels as to sizes of germs (Fig. 147), amount of flinty 

 matter, and amount of starchy matter in the kernels. What do these differ- 

 ences indicate? 



5. Make similar comparisons between dent corn, flint corn, sweet corn 

 and pop corn. 



6. Proportion of Corn to Cob. With simple weighing apparatus make 

 studies of the comparative yields of corn as shown in different ears of one var- 

 iety or in different varieties. The proportion of corn to the cob is obtained 

 by weighing the corn and cob together, then shelling off the kernels into 

 a small paper bag. Weigh the corn and the cob separately. The percentage 

 of corn is expressed in its ratio to the weight of the entire ear. This may 

 be expressed in percentage which is obtained by dividing the weight of 

 the kernels alone by the weight of the entire ear. Thus 86 per cent means 

 that the kernels weigh 86 per cent as much as the entire ear. The cob in 

 that case would weigh 14 per cent as much as the entire ear, but this latter 

 percentage is seldom used. This exercise should be repeated several times 

 to obtain skill in estimating the proportion of corn to the ear when 

 scales are not available, or when time forbids their use. Students may roughly 

 estimate the percentage of kernels by breaking an ear and then verifying the 

 estimate by weighing. 



7. Selecting Seed Corn. A group of students may go to a field of corn 

 and select the ears most suitable for seed. During winter seasons this prac- 

 tice may best be done in a corn crib. A score card may be used as a guide for 

 a little while, and then its points should be carried in mind and the work done 

 more rapidly. 



8. Corn Machinery. Visit a machine dealer's stock and study all the 

 forms of corn and grain machinery, including planters, cultivators, harvesters, 

 shredders, and huskers. Study the advantages and disadvantages which may 

 be found in each machine. 



9. Cost of Machinery. Compare the cost of machinery with the average 

 number of years each machine will last with good care. Take into consid- 

 eration the cost of repairs, interest on investment, and the number of 

 acres on which the machine is to be used. Determine in each case 

 the minimum size of field or farm which will warrant the purchase of that 

 type of machine. 



