160 



SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



rows are straight than in other ears. This is important 

 for the reason that uniform kernels drop evenly from the 

 planter, thus insuring a uniform stand. 



THE BUTT 



(5) An ear whose butt is covered with kernels of nearly 

 the same shape and size as those of the body of the ear. 



These kernels should be 



uniformly arranged and 

 fit closely about the shank. 

 This ear should be of the 

 desirable size given in (i) 

 and of the desirable shape 

 given in {£) , since it repre- 

 sents simply another step 

 toward the ideal ear which 

 we hope at last to find. 



(3) An ear whose butt 

 is covered with irregular 

 or " blocky " kernels which 

 do not fit closely about the 

 shank. 



A butt of the desirable 

 kind described in (3) in- 

 sures greater uniformity in 

 the size and shape of the 

 kernels of the ear, the 

 importance of which has 

 already been stated. 

 Moreover, in a butt of 

 this description there is 

 less waste space between the kernels both because of 

 the greater uniformity of kernels in size and shape and 

 because of their close arrangement about the shank. 



Fig. G4. — An ear of desirable 

 size and shape, having a desirable 

 butt and tip. 



