KERNELS 



53 



Remove two typical kernels from each ear and place 

 them above the ear to which they belong. These kernels 

 are the ones compared in determining shape and uniformity 

 for the sample. The uniformity and shape of the kernels 

 on the individual ear are also considered. 



Kernels with weak or shriveled tips should be discarded, 

 no matter how well the outside of the ear may look. At least 



60 06 II 





Fig. 28. Various shapes of kernels. To judge kernels remove two kernels from each 

 ear two thirds of the way from butt to tip. Place each pair near the ear from which 

 they were taken and compare with the ideal. The top row here shown illustrates 

 the best, while those in the bottom row are too short and thick for dent corn. The 

 long wedge-shaped kernels shown at the right of the top row and the pair in the 

 center of the top row are most desirable. 



85 per cent of the oil in the kernel is in the germ, hence corn 

 with well-formed germs is desirable. Tests show that the 

 oil in corn may vary from 2.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent and 

 the protein from 6.5 per cent to 16 per cent. If seed corn 

 contains a large amount of protein and oil, the crop grown 

 from this seed will be high in these desirable features. 



