SWEET CORN OB SUGAR CORN 265 



com for quality, as denoted by its translucent appearance. 

 It is important to practice rigid selection, that is, not only 

 to have a great many of the right kind of ears, but to plant 

 none or the wrong kind in the breeding plat or near it. 



One of the most important factors in the sweet com 

 industry is the proper curing of the seed ears. Sweet 

 corn molds and ferments more easily than field com. 

 This greatly injures germination. Freezing before curing 

 also injures germination. 



194. Drying seed corn by fire heat is often practiced in 

 seed houses equipped for the work, but is not the most prac- 

 ticable method on a small scale. Corn thrown in a large 

 pile with or without the husk on will develop heat enough 

 inside of twenty-four hours to injure the germ, sour the 

 cob, and discolor the grain. Sweet corn cut and shocked 

 up like field com will sour before it dries, imless the weather 

 be both cool and dry enough before winter to escape in- 

 jury by freezing. Com left on the stalk untouched until 

 the husk opens will be greatly discolored and injured by 

 a spell of hot, damp weather. If, however, the ears be 

 husked out on a dry day and allowed to lie a few hours 

 exposed to the direct rays of the sun, the organisms which 

 cause fermentation are killed by the simshine, and a layer 

 of impervious matter is formed over the butt end of the 

 cob, which makes it more difficult for fermentation to 

 start. 



The following method of curing sweet com seed is 

 recommended : When the husk is dead and loose on the 

 ear, wait for a bright, clear day, begin early in the 

 morning, and cut down a small piece of corn, throwing 

 into piles. The same forenoon, when the sun is shining 

 bright, husk it out as rapidly as possible, throw the corn 

 into small piles on the ground, tie the fodder into bundles, 



