164 SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



In Missouri, for instance, it is safe to grow a tj^De of com 

 with a deep kernel, while one of onlj' medium depth can 

 be safely gro^^^l in Minnesota. 



Very shallow and nearly square kernels mean a low 

 shelling percentage. If square blocks, for example, are 

 placed around a circle, their tops are slightly pulled apart. 

 Square kernels about a round cob will be separated at the 

 top in the same way, causing a loss of space between the 

 rows. Moreover, since the kernels themselves are shallow, 

 the proportion of kernel to cob is still further reduced. 



If the kernels are sharp and pointed, there will be waste 

 space at the base both between the rows and between the 

 kernels in the row. If the kernels are very deep and 

 equally ^\^de at base and crown, (1) they are liable to be 

 starchy, owing to immaturity, which in turn is due to the 

 long growing season required ; also (2) there is waste 

 space between the rows at the crown, just as in the case 

 of square kernels. 



When the kernels are " shoepeg " in shape, there is 

 again a loss of space between the rows and a poor develop- 

 ment of germs. Moreover, because of their depth, there 

 is a strong tendency to starchiness due to immaturity. 



SIZE OF GERM 



(f) An ear ivhose kernels have germs which are large and 

 thick. This ear should have if possible, or so far as possible, 

 all desirable characters given up to this time. 



WPWPW 



Fig. 69. — Kernels with large germs. 



