1912. 



PUBLIC DOCOIEXT — No. 31. 



239 



Weights of Ten Average Ears mth Proportion of Kernel and Cob in Dry 



Matter. 



Wide variations were noted depending upon stage of ripe- 

 ness. The Twitchell, a long eared and earlv maturing flint, 

 showed the smallest percentage of cob (13,1), and the Klon- 

 dike, a quite immature dent, the largest amount of cob (26.1). 

 The average of the several mature types was 15.5 per cent, cob, 

 and 84.5 per cent, kernel, while the average for the less mature 

 varieties was 18.1 for cob and 81.9 for kernel. If the less 

 mature varieties had been grown in a climate favorable to their 

 complete maturity, it is probable that they would have shown 

 equally as favorable a proportion of cob and kernel. 



The weight of the Massachusetts legal bushel in case of 

 shelled corn is 50 pounds, and for a bushel of ears 70 pounds. 

 This allows 14 pounds, or 20 per cent., for the cob. With but 

 two exceptions the samples tested contained less than 20 per 

 cent, cob in dry matter. Assuming that the standard of 70 

 pounds per bushel for corn was based upon the average of a 

 large number of trials, is it not possible that the corn crop has 



