SHOW CORN 255 



The ear also represents the largest and most interesting 

 crop in the United States, and the principal means of sup- 

 port of many millions. So long as men admire perfect 

 ears of com, the com show will last. 



181. Show corn is judged, on the basis of degree of 

 perfection exhibited, both in soimdness and general sym- 

 metry, imiformity, and beauty. It must be perfectly 

 sound and matured, and free from signs of deterioration 

 due to disease or improper care. 



The characters of show corn may be grouped in two 

 classes, as those that pertain to soimdness and maturity 

 and those that pertain to perfection in symmetry and uni- 

 formity. The first class is of practical value and applies 

 in the judging of all seed corn. The second class of points 

 cannot be said to be important to consider in seed selection. 



182. Maturity is judged by the general plumpness and 

 development of the kernels. If the kernels are loose on the 

 cob, or unduly shrunken at tip or crown, the ear probably 

 did not mature properly. 



183. Soundness is judged principally by the vitality 

 of germs and strength of germination. Good germs 

 should be plimip, of a texture similar to good cheese, and 

 no signs of discoloring. Any variation from this can 

 usually be seen, but it is not always possible to judge 

 the viability by examination alone. A germination test 

 is sometimes necessary to determine this point. 



Fancy characters pertain to the perfection and symmetry 

 of development of all parts of the ear, as butts, tips, rows, 

 kernels, etc. 



184. Standards of perfection have been adopted in re- 

 gard to a few of the best-known varieties, but at present 

 these standards are not regarded very much by corn 

 judges, but rather a imiversal standard has come to be 



