PRACTICAL HINTS IN JUDGING CORN 413 



The explanation of points is practically the same as that previous- 

 ly described. Its purpose primarily is to condense as much as possible 

 the essential points to be considered by a Judge in placing awards in 

 the State Contest at Ames. The judge is to score each sample and 

 attach the score thereto for the benefit of the exhibitor. 



PRACTICAL HINTS IN JUDGING CORN. Exhibitors are rap- 

 idly acquiring an intelligent understanding of how to show corn. A 

 judge will arrive at a town in which an institute and corn contest are 

 to take place. It may be that an old store, a hall, or open tent has 

 been reserved for the purpose. A number of entries have been made. 

 The corn is in baskets, boxes, sacks, or even hanging about the walls 

 by the husks. The first thing for the judge to do is to get some 

 wooden horses made or secure some dry goods boxes about three feet 

 long. Lay these with end up. Have 14 or 16-foot planks brought up 

 from the lumber yard ; place three of these side by side on a row oi 

 boxes. Twelve-inch boards are too light and sag in the middle, caus- 

 ing trouble with the kernels. Arrange the samples of corn, ten ears 

 in a place, at intervals along the outside planks. Separate the samples 

 about six inches, by the use of ten-penny nails driven two at each end 

 of a sample. If a farmer has brought 13 or 14 ears, let him pick out 

 what he considers the best ten to enter. When every improvised table 

 has been set in order and all the samples arranged with butts even with 

 the outer edge of the outside plank, the corn is ready to be judged. Be- 

 fore going any further, have a definite understanding with the officer 

 in charge, regarding the classification, rules of entry, number of prizes 

 for each class, and other details, in order that there may be no errors 

 made. 



Beginning at one end, take two kernels out of each ear, near its 

 middle, place the kernels, germ side up with tips of kernels pointing 

 toward the ear, at its tip. An experienced judge can now pass upon 

 each sample with his eye as he slowly walks by and immediately elim- 

 inate some samples from the competition. That is, there may be sam- 

 ples which show lack of any definite breeding; each ear is a type in 

 itself. Other samples may have a very shallow, flinty kernel with 

 large cob and poor butts and tips. Another sample may be a mixture 

 of varieties with a number of kernels showing immaturity on the sur- 

 face. 



If the show happens to come early in the gathering season, very 

 careful examination must be made for maturity. This is especially 

 true of corn in the northern districts. By taking each ear in the hands 

 and twisting slightly, the movement and sound of the kernels will indi- 



