260 MAIZE 



CHAl'. cut '] of a point for each missing grain, except for those grains 

 (three only) (IF 194, § 11) which have been removed by the 

 exhibitor from near the centre of each ear to determine whether 

 the ears were suitable for seed or exhibition. 



Richness of colour is a point in favour of yellow maize, 

 but some breeds are naturally paler than others, e.g. Golden 

 King as compared with Yellow Hogan. Dullness of colour 

 may be due to age, to damage in drying, or to harvesting 

 before the grain was sufficiently dry. 



219. Size of Embryo. — A small, poorly developed embryo 

 gives a poor germination and a weak seedling, which is less 

 capable of withstanding drought, insect attacks, etc. Most of 

 the oil of the maize-grain is contained in the embryo, so that 

 the larger the embryo, the higher the oil-content. 



220. Market Condition. — By market condition is meant the 

 best condition for marketing purposes. Condition includes 

 dryness, firmness of grain on the cob, soundness, maturity, 

 and freedom from injury or disease. Maturity is deter- 

 mined by the filling out of the grain. Chaffy ends usually 

 indicate lack of maturity, but some breeds naturally have 

 rough ends even when the grain is thoroughly mature, and a 

 good knowledge of breeds is essential, to avoid mistakes in this 

 respect. Loose grain usually indicates lack of maturity, but 

 here again knowledge of breeds is necessary, because some of 

 them naturally have a loose grain. By twisting the ear 

 sharply in the hand (but not sufficiently to break it) it is easy 

 to determine whether it is mature or not ; if it remains rigid, 

 it is generally ripe and dry, but if it yields to the twist it 

 generally means that the cob is still moist ; a cut of half a 

 point ('5) is made for each ear not in condition. At agricul- 

 tural shows held early in the season it is difficult to obtain 

 thoroughly dry ears, and allowance must be made accordingly. 



In the case of seed-maize the vitality of the sample is of 

 very great importance ; this can be determined bv means of a 

 germination test, but at an agricultural show there is not time 

 to make such a test, which takes five days To determine 

 the viability of a sample of seed-maize, three grains are taken 

 from each ear, one from near the butt, one near the tip, and 

 one near the centre. These will germinate between wet 

 blotting paper, or preferably on a plate of pure damp sand ; 



