CORN JUDGING 85 



too far, the kernels will not fill out or mature properly 

 and a chaffy ear will result. This condition should 

 be taken into consideration under this head. If there 

 are aiiy rotten or immature kernels in an otherwise 

 fairly well-matured ear a proportional cut should be 

 made. 



Kernel Shape — ^The shape of kernel varies with 

 the different varieties. Every variety has a character- 

 istic shape of kernel, but in general there are certain 

 conditions of shape that all kernels must fill. Such 

 kernels fit around the cob tightly and do not leave a 

 space at the tip near the cob nor a deep furrow 

 between the rows of kernels. If the kernels are 

 square they will angle and a space or furrow between 

 the rows of kernels will result. A broad, square 

 kernel is usually shallow and only a few rows of 

 kernels grow on each cob. This means a small per- 

 centage of corn to cob. On the other hand, a well- 

 shaped kernel is usually found on an ear with a large 

 number of rows of kernels and results in a large 

 percentage of corn to cob. The sides of the kernels 

 should be straight. . In some varieties the kernels are 

 broad and shallow and there are only a few rows of 

 kernels on the ear. This sort of kernel is the flinty 

 type and is early maturing. In judging the shape it 

 is a good plan to take out two kernels from each ear 

 from about the middle of the ear and lay them out in 

 front of the ear with the tip of the kernel toward 

 the judge. Push out in a separate row the ill-shaped 

 kernels and determine the marking by the proportion 

 of well-shaped kernels. 



Kernel Uniformity — The uniformity of kernels 

 can be determined largely by an examination of the 

 ears. The kernels should be of the same size in all 

 parts of the ear with the exception of the egg-shaped 

 rounded tip. The kernels of the different ears should 



