THE SEED : ITS SELECTION AND DISTRIBUTION 53 



the same time others which show the opposite, or undesir- 

 able characteristics. 



EXERCISE 18 



Object. — To study types of corn stalks, from which 

 seed ears may be chosen, and also types which are to be 

 avoided. 



Procedure. — Select and bring to the school building 

 from any field you may choose fourteen or more stalks of 

 com as directed below. Each of these stalks will show 

 either a desirable or an undesirable characteristic. Those 

 which are desirable appear first and in italics. Note 

 carefully the reasons given as to why the one is considered 

 desirable and the other undesirable. 



(1) A strong, sturdy stalk of medium height and tapering 

 gradually to the top. 



(1) A slender, spindling stalk with or without an ear. 

 It has been found that the best ears are commonly 



borne on stalks of the first description. A really good 

 ear is rarely found on a slender, spindling stalk, no matter 

 how tall it may be. 



(2) A stalk with an ear at medium height from the ground. 



(2) A stalk with an ear borne either very low or very 

 high. 



As a rule, the largest, best formed ears are not found 

 near the ground, nor high up on the stalk. Moreover, 

 both are hard to husk. Hence, seed ears are chosen from 

 those plants whose ears are borne at a medium height. 



(S) A shank long enough to allow the ear to hang with 

 the tip downward. 



(3) A shank so short that the ear is held with the tip 

 pointing upward. 



If tip extends upward, rain may enter, water gather 

 at the base of the ear, and molds or decay result. This is 



