278 SELECTING SEED CORN 



abnormally so in fact, but it would be a mistake to select 

 such an ear, because the tendency will be to increase 

 variation and when these variations run to excess they 

 are pretty sure to produce undesirable qualities. 



It would be just as great a mistake if the selector is 

 looking-for a medium-sized ear with closely set grains to 

 select an undersized ear with the abnormally sized grains. 



It is a good plan to select seed from stalks of stout, 

 healthy growth which have made uniform progress dur- 

 ing the season and that are well provided with leaves so 

 as to provide plenty of fodder. It is important to observe 

 the tassel of the stalk to see that it is strong, symmetrical, 

 well developed and free from any evidence of disease. 



The stalk from which the ears are taken should be 

 well rooted in the ground, upright, strong and vigorous, 

 and any evidence of disease or abnormal growth should 

 at once condemn it. 



Only ears that are well silked and that are thoroughly 

 covered with the husk from tip to tip should be selected. 

 Here again it is a mistake t© select ears bearing abnor- 

 mally developed husks or husks that are too little devel- 

 oped. 



If the ear contains an unusual amount of husk it is a 

 sure sign of coarseness and will show up badly in next 

 year's crop. 



The shank bearing the ear should be short and not over 

 an inch or an inch and a quarter in diameter, and the 

 ears pointing downward are the most desirable. These 

 shed the rain and thus preserve the grain while those 

 ears which stand upright, or nearly so, naturally catch 

 moisture which trickles down into the grain and causes 

 it to rot. 



As to the number of rows and grains on the ear, these 

 will vary with the variety, but in most standard varieties 

 they run from 16 to 20, although they may run as high 

 as 24 and still conform to standard. 



