CORN JUDGING 79 



nels, or vice versa. The filling of the tip is also influ- 

 enced by the season. If an unfavorable season, as a 

 very dry spell during pollination or a very stormy 

 period, the pollen is destroyed before it has time to 

 fertilize the ear fully. In such seasons and under these 

 circumstances, whole sections of cornfields are poorly 

 filled. It is desirable that the variety be so bred that 

 all parts of the ear mature in time for the pollen to 

 fully fertilize them. This can be accomplished by the 

 breeder selecting for seed only those ears which are 

 well filled out over the tips. 



Butt — In a well filled butt the kernels should 

 stand out about the shank so that when the ear is 

 broken from the shank a small hollow or receptacle 

 is left. This assists in securing a large proportion of 

 corn to cob. Not only is this true, but a poorly filled 

 butt is usually accompanied by a large shank. This 

 large, strong shank makes it very difficult for the ear 

 to be broken off during husking, an undesirable qual- 

 ity in any variety. On the other hand, if the butt is 

 very small the shank supporting the ear on the stalk 

 may become so weak that it cannot hold the ear se- 

 curely and the result will be that the ears will be too 

 easily blown off during windstorms. If the butt is 

 partly covered a half point cut should be made and if 

 the end of the cob is even with the kernels, a full cut. 



Circumference — In measuring the circumference 

 of an ear pick up the ear in the left hand, holding the 

 tape line in the right. Press the forefinger of the left 

 hand on the end of the tape and with the right hand 

 bring the tape line around the ear so that a glance can 

 accurately get the measurement in mind. Keep in 

 mind the deduction in scoring each ear as every ear is 

 measured, and when through measuring subtract the 

 total cut from five, in this way getting the marking 

 for circumference. The circumference is usually meas- 



