MAIZE. 99 



(2) Kernel Composition. — This also varies with the variety, 

 but within the variety preference should be given to those 

 showing the most horny starch, as this tends to give maize of 

 a high protein content and of high weight per bushel; and, 

 moreover, white starchy seed is often the result of disease and 

 poor ripening. 



(3) Kernel Characteristics. — Healthy, well-matured ears 

 usually have thick, plump, bright and clean kernels, having 

 well-developed embryos. 



(4) Shank Attachments. — Hitherto these have been 

 trimmed away for show purposes. They should be left, 

 however, as found when broken off the plant. Ears with 

 shanks diseased, shown by a pink or brown discolouration and 

 in a shredded condition (i.e., the parenchymatous cells of the 

 pith have become disintegrated by the action of disease 

 organisms and the fibrovacular bundles are left intact, giving a 

 sringy appearance) should be discriminated against, as well as 

 those having shanks too slender or too thick. 



(5) Tips of Ears. — The tips should show no signs of 

 discolouration or injury from weather, insects, birds, etc., 

 as these are usually those not well covered by the husks. Well 

 filled tips, while due largely to favourable weather at time of 

 fertilisation, should be favoured. 



(6) Butts or Ears. — These should not be unduly 

 " swollen " or compressed, and should also be well filled, a 

 condition governed to a great extent by weather conditions. 



(7) Lustre or Polish. — Vigour, healthy development and 

 complete maturity are almost invariably associated with a 

 bright, polished, oily appearance. Those lacking lustre and 

 having a dull appearance should be scored against, since they 

 too often give rise to poor, unproductive and diseased plants. 



8. Sulci. — Within the variety the space between the rows 

 should not be too wide nor too narrow. It is possible that 

 too great a width may indicate low yielding strains, while 

 grain excessively crowded may be found on cobs lacking 

 vigour. 



(9) Freedom, from Diseased Symptoms. — Discolouration 

 near the tip of the kernel may denote disease, and any other 

 evidence of disease should "be discriminated against. A 

 brownish discolouration near the tip of large white fiat kernels 

 is often found in maize which has matured late in the season 

 when the night temperatures are apt to be very low. This 

 discolouration is probably due to the condensation of moisture 



