50 LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



too near the bottom nor too near the top. The shank 

 that holds the ear should not to be too long, so that it 

 holds the ear far from the stalk. On the other hand, it 

 should not be so short that it causes the ear to stand 

 upright against the stalk. The stalk should be of 

 medium size, strong' and tapering with strong brace 

 roots and plenty of leaves. 



Shape of ear. The next point to observe is the gen- 

 eral shape and development of each ear selected. For 

 the first selection of the corn in the field be governed 

 by the following points: 



1. Length of ear, between eight and ten inches. 



2. Circumference of the ear, about three-fourths 

 the length. 



3. Rows of kernels, straight and running well out 

 to the tip and butt of the ear. Kernels well shaped, 

 firmly set in place, deeply dented and all of the same 

 purity of color. 



Governed by these points in the field selection of ears, 

 the farmer may select more corn than is really needed 

 for his seed, so that a closer selection and grading may 

 be made in the spring before planting. 



Storing seed corn. In storing the corn, it should 

 either be hung by the husks torn back from the ear, 

 or be placed in racks made of narrow strips with spaces 

 between. Whatever the device used to store the corn 

 may be, it should provide for free circulation of air 

 about the ears, and a dry, cool place, protected from 

 mice, rats and poultry. 



The scoring, judging, and final testing and se- 



