212 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



quarters of the length. This proportion, however, varies with 

 varieties. Very large ears are usually slow in maturing, and 

 may produce soft corn. In some cases large ears are the result 

 of very large cobs. This will diminish the yield of shelled 

 corn. The circumference of an ear is usually measured at one- 

 third the distance from the butt to the tip. 



10. (a) Furrows between rows will be very slight if the 

 kernels are of proper shape. If these furrows be large, the 

 proportion of corn to cob is much reduced. If the ears in a 

 sample of seed corn vary greatly in this respect the type will 

 not be uniform. 



(&) The spaces between tips of kernels at the cob will 

 tend to make the kernels loose so tliat they move when pressed 

 by the hand. This usually means poor seed corn and low 

 feeding value. If the tips are well filled, they will be tight 

 on the cob. 



11. The proportion of corn to ear goxerns very largely the 

 yield of shelled corn per acre. Breaking several ears will show 

 wide variation in the size of cobs and the depth of kernels on 

 them. Deep kernels and small cobs indicate large proportion. 

 The shape of kernels and spaces between rows also affect the 

 proportion of shelled corn. In judging contests and exhibits 

 the proportion of corn to ear should be determined by weight. 

 Delicate spring scales may be used. Shell the corn from a 

 sample ear into a paper bag. Weigh the corn and cob together. 

 Then weigh the corn vrithout the cob. Divide the weight of 

 the shelled corn by the total weight of the ear. This will 

 give the per cent of corn. The per cent should be as high as 

 85, but frequently runs higher than this. 



When to Select Seed. — Seed corn should be selected in- 

 the fall before the crop is harvested. Then the most mature 

 ears may be easily found by the color of husks and drooping 

 of ears. A boy may hang a sack on his shoulder and go over 

 the field selecting such ears as may prove to be satisfactory on 

 closer examination. These should be carefully dried. Later 



