76 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



comes the nearest to the ideal type. Then select other ones 

 resembling the first one ten in all. 



The score-card. The score-card is a device to help the 

 judge or student to make intelligent comparisons of sample 

 ears with the ideal type. The characteristics of the ear are 

 listed and the perfect grade for each is given. The student 

 must judge how nearly the sample being scored compares 

 to the perfect grade under each point. In judging corn, 

 ten ears usually constitute an exhibit sample. It is desirable 

 that samples be laid out side by side on a table where a 

 good light may be had. 



For practical work in corn-scoring the teacher should 

 provide score-cards used and recommended by the agricul- 

 tural college of the state in which the work is being done. It 

 is not advisable to give more attention and study to scoring 

 corn than to its production. It is yield we want rather than 

 fancy ears, and this characteristic is often inherent in ears 

 of indifferent appearance. 



XIV. STORING SEED CORN 



Essentials of careful storing. The proper storing of seed 

 corn after selection is perhaps of equal importance to the 

 matter of selection. The ears should be taken when mature 

 on the stalk and hung or laid in dry, well ventilated places, 

 and kept perfectly dry and cool until planting time the next 

 season. It must be remembered that the seed is a living 

 thing and is injured by freezing. 



