MATURITY AND MARKET CONDITION 409 



III. MATURITY AND MARKET CONDITION. 



1. Sappiness. Containing a high percentage of moisture. 

 The ear is heavy and can usually be twisted out of shape. 

 The kernels generally presenting a glossy, waxy appear- 

 ance. 



2. Chaffiness. When the hand is passed roughly over the 

 ear, a rattling sound indicates chaffiness. The kernels 

 usually have an extremely pinched dent and show imma- 

 turity. 



3. Starchiness. Generally a large amount of white starch 

 indicates immaturity. This may be present on the back 

 or on the front of the kernel, or on both. 



4. Adherence of Tip Cap to Cob. The adherence of the tip 

 cap to cob in shelling, leaving the black tip of the germ 

 exposed, indicates immaturity. 



5. Adherence of Chaff to Tip Cap. If the chaff adheres to 

 the tip cap in shelling, it indicates more or less immatur- 

 ity. The shrinking kernel has drawn the chaff with it in 

 the process of drying. 



6. Plumpness of Tips of Kernels. Shrunken tips indicate 

 immaturity; that is, they were full of moisture when 

 stored. They also indicate lack of vigor, low proportiop 

 of corn to cob and low feeding value. 



7. Depth of Kernel. As a general rule, deep kernels requin 

 more time in which to mature than do shallow kernels. 

 The depths will vary with the variety type, climatic and 

 soil conditions. Deep kernels are liable to show starchi- 

 ness. 



8. Size of Ear. The size will vary with the soil and climatic 

 conditions. The usual size of an ear in the northern sec- 

 tions of the State of Iowa is from 8 to 9>4 inches ; in the 

 central sections, 8^ to 9^; in the southern sections, 9 

 to 10 inches. The circumference should generally be 

 about three-fourths of the length. Ears a trifle long, hav- 

 ing a circumference of sUch size that the ear matured, 

 should not be cut seriously for this excessive length, 

 Large ears showing signs of immaturity should be cut 

 very heavily. 



