SHUCK PEOTECTIOlSr FOR EAR CORN". 11 



RELATION OF SHUCK COVERING TO MOLD AND DISCOLORATION. 



The relation of shuck covering to the mold and discoloration of 

 corn was studied in the field in connection with the investigations 

 in 1915 of the relation of shuck covering to insect infestation. The 

 affected ears were classed as rotten, discolored, or worm moldy. 



Those ears termed ''rotten" were extensively affected hy molds 

 and would have been rejected by anyone culling to improve the grade 

 of the corn. 



Those ears termed "discolored" had some kernels slightly affected 

 by molds, stained by the shucks, checked by small cracks, or they were 

 tarnished as though they had been soaked in water. Most of this 

 discoloration would not have been given serious consideration by the 

 average observer. 



The ears termed "worm moldy" were such as were affected by 

 mold that seemed to have been made possible by the attacks of 

 earworms. These ears, because of their large number and the shght 

 damage done, would not have been discarded by the most fastidious 

 in an attempt to improve the grade. 



As this corn was examined comparatively early in the fall, a large 

 percentage of the stalks standing erect and the ears not shaded by 

 vines, weeds, or other growth, and as the seasonal conditions for 

 drying the mature ears were favorable, the proportion of damaged 

 corn was much less than may often be seen in the section covered by 

 these investigations. 



For these investigations the ears were separated into classes with 

 poor shucks and with good shucks. The class with good shucks 

 includes both those with and without wormholes. In other respects 

 the classification is the same as that for the investigations involving 

 insects. The results of the investigations of the relation of the shuck 

 covering to rotten, discolored, and worm-moldy ears are summarized 

 in Table VII. 



Table VII. — Relation of shuck covering to the percentage of ears of corn found to be 

 rotten, discolored, or having worm molds. 





Kind of shuck covering. 



Percentage of cars- 





Rotten. 



Discol- 

 ored. 



Worm 

 moldy. 



Poor 



4 

 1 



34 

 18 



58 



Good --- -.- - 



40 









Total 



3 



27 



50 









A total of 1,157 ears was examined. Of the ears in poor shucks, 4 

 per cent were rotten, 34 per cent were discolored, and 58 per cent 

 were affected Avith worm mold. Of the ears in good shucks, 1 per cent 



