414 CORN 



cate the degree of ripeness. Many samples which are large and showy- 

 looking, indicate to the touch and eye of the experienced judge that 

 they may not mature. In other words, he cannot place such an entry 

 at the top because it is liable to injury by freezing and may not pro- 

 duce if planted the next year. Such samples should also either be 

 eliminated at once or considered only on condition. 



Corn exhibited during the winter is liable to injury by freezing, or 

 may have been frozen previously. A sappy condition of the ears will 

 arouse suspicion. Careful examination with a knife of several kernels 

 from each ear will indicate those ears which have been frozen and 

 hence are likely to germinate weakly. Simply lay open the surface 

 of the germ with the point of a knife blade. Allow the embryo to lie 

 in its place. If it is brownish or yellowish and swollen, it has very 

 likely been frozen. The entire mass of the germ is often like salve, 

 having also a yellowish color. A frozen ear could not possibly score 

 more than zero for seed purposes. A sample with several frozen 

 ears cannot be placed high in the awards if unfrozen corn is on com- 

 petitive exhibition. If judging is to be done with old corn which has 

 been stored a year or more, it will be difficult to detect an injured 

 embryo. Usually, if the embryo be pale in color and much diminished 

 in size, the chances of strong germination are slight. Starchiness and 

 chaffiness are generally indexes of immaturity in old samples. 



After all means of ready elimination have been carried out, a care- 

 ful study of the samples at hand should be made. The size and shape 

 of the ears, the size and shape of the kernels, evidence of definite selec- 

 tion for breed type — all should be considered. Choose a small 

 nnmber of the samples of the highest standard. Study still more, 

 carefully balancing the points in favor of one over another. One 

 sample may show more breed type, but be a little bit immature, while 

 another of large ears may lack uniformity and show little evidence of 

 definite selection. It is best to choose the former sample. If any one 

 is an outstanding winner, then balance one against another as the 

 ranking of the remainder is continued. Often in close competition, the 

 ears of two samples may have to be pitted against each other; that 

 is, place all the ears of each sample in order of their merit from i 

 to ID. Then compare ear No. i of sample A with ear No. i of sample 

 B, and so on until the majority of points lies with one sample or the 

 other. 



When all the samples are placed, a good plan is to walk around the 

 tables once more to satisfy one's self that no samples of worth have 

 been overlooked. Always maintain a respect for the opinions of those 



