102 PRACTICAL CORN CULTURE 
EXPLANATION OF POINTS IN THE ScoRE CARD 
1. Length of Ears: The minimum length of the ear depends on 
the variety under consideration; thus, the minimum length of Reid’s 
Yellow Dent in the Central Illinois Division is 9.5 inches, Golden 
Eagle is 9 inches and White Pearl is 8 inches. The deficiencies in 
length of all ears (in a ten-ear sample) are added together, for every 
inch thus resulting a cut of two points is made. The length is 
measured from the butt to the extreme tip. 
2. Circumference of Ears: The minimum circumference, like the 
length, varies with the variety measurement. The deficiencies in cir- 
cumference of all ears (in a ten-ear sample) are added together, and for 
every inch thus resulting a cut of two points is made. The circumference 
is measured at about one-third the distance from the butt to the tip of 
the ear. 
3. Color: In judging color, a red cob in white corn or a white 
cob in yellow corn is cut ten points. For one mixed kernel, a cut of 
one-fifth of a point is made; for two, two-fifths of a point, and so 
on up to five or more, when a one point cut is made for each additional 
off-kernel. Kernels missing may be counted as mixed, at the discre- 
tion of the judge. Differences in shade of color of grain or cob are 
scored according to variety characteristics. 
4, Shape of Ears: All ears should be. cylindrical with straight rows 
and with proper proportion of length and circumference. The shape 
of the ear should conform to the variety type; thus Leaming ears 
should be slightly tapering. 
5. Uniformity of Exhibit: Ears should be uniform in shape, 
length and circumference. 
6. Tips of Ears: Oval shape and regularly filled out with large 
dented kernels. In selecting for seed it is sometimes not advisable 
to insist that the tip be covered. If well covered tips are selected 
year after year the ears will become shortened and more will be lost 
than gained. 
7. Butts of Ears: Kernels rounded over the end of the cob in 
regular manner, leaving a deep depression where shank is removed. 
Properly filled butts indicate perfect pollination and a relatively high 
proportion of corn to cob. At present there is not as much stress laid 
upon good butts and tips as formerly. A good butt, however, is more 
important than a good tip. 
8. Kernel Uniformity: Kernels from the same ear and from the 
several ears should be uniform in size and shape. The kernels that 
have been removed should be carefully compared. Ears should be dis- 
carded whose kernels are exceptionally large or small, broad or narrow, 
long or short. Kernel uniformity is more important than ear uni- 
formity. The planter cannot be made to drop regularly if the kernels 
are irregular. Other things being equal, too long kernels indicate 
that the corn will be too late in maturing. The shortest kernels ripen 
early but do not produce as much corn. Since the general tendency 
NOTE: A part of this chapter pertaining to the explanations of the 
corn score card was taken in the main from the Eleventh Annual Report 
of the Ilinois Corn Growers’ Association, 
