136 



PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



tral portion and not taper too rapidly toward the tip. This 

 is indicative of strong constitution and good yield (Fig. 69). 



3. Purity of Ear; (a) Grain. In color the kernels should 

 be true to variety and free from mixture. Difference in shade 

 of color, as light or dark red, white or cream color, must be 

 scored according to variety characteristics. (6) Cob. An 

 ear of white corn should have a white cob ; yellow corn should 

 have a red cob; if mixed, mark it zero. A mixture reduces the 

 value of the corn for seed purposes, indicates lack of purity, 



FIG. 69. Good seed corn. The upper ear shows good even rows with very 

 narrow spaces between rows and between kernels. Ihe tips of the cob should be 

 covered with corn. There is a good deep impression and small stem shown at the 

 left. The kernels are deep as compared with the size of the cob, as shown. (U. S. 

 Farmers' Bulletin 229J 



and tends toward a too wide variation in time of maturity, 

 size, and shape of kernels (Fig. 70). 



4. Vitality or Seed Condition. Corn should be in good 

 market condition; show good constitution, and be capable of 

 producing plants of strong, vigorous growth and heavy yield. 

 All indications of freezing or other injury from exposure and 

 all evidences of immaturity show poor vitality. Corn with 

 adhering chaff, or a black tip, caused by the tip cap adhering 

 to the cob, is not in good condition. 



5. Tips (Fig. 69) should be regular, uniform, and prop- 

 erly proportioned with the body of the ear. The rows should 



