-SHUCK PROTECTION FOR EAR CORN. a5 E 
RELATION OF SHUCK COVERING TO MOLD AND DISCOLORATION. 
The relation of shuck covering to the mold and discoloration of 
corn was studied in the field in connection with the investigations 
in 1915 of the relation of shuck covering to insect infestation. The 
affected ears were classed as rotten, discolored, or worm moldy. 
Those ears termed ‘‘rotten” were extensively affected by molds 
and would have been rejected by anyone culling to improve the grade 
of the corn. 
Those ears termed *‘ discolored” had some Kernels shghtly affected 
by molds, stained by the shucks, checked by small cracks, or they were - 
tarnished as though they had been soaked in water. Most of this 
discoloration would not have been given serious consideration by the 
average observer. 
The ears termed ‘“‘worm moldy” were such as were affected by 
mold that seemed to have been made possible by the attacks of 
earworms. These ears, because of their large number and the slight 
damage done, would not have been discarded by the most fastidious 
in an attempt to improve the grade. 
As this corn was examined comparatively early in the fall, a large 
percentage of the stalks standing erect and the ears not shaded by 
vines, weeds, or other growth, and as the seasonal conditions for 
drying the mature ears were favorable, the proportion of damaged 
corn was much less than may often be seen in the section covered by 
these investigations. 
For these investigations the ears were separated into classes with 
poor shucks and with good shucks. The class with good shucks 
includes both those with and without wormholes. In other respects 
the classification is the same as that for the investigations involving 
insects. The results of the investigations of the relation of the shuck 
covering to rotten, discolored, and worm-moldy ears are summarized 
m ‘Table VII. 
TaBLeE VII.—Relation of shuck covering to the percentage of ears of corn found to be 
rotten, discolored, or having worm molds. 
Percentage of cars— 
Kind of shuck covering. | 
| Discol- | Worm 
Bonen | ored. | moldy. 
(POO erereee ere eee ae rn ee ee ee oe Nee eet pee ee RA a 4 54 58 
SUIT EES Sys SR ae SES ee ie Ea ee re ine eee if} 18 40 
SR eyicebee gerne SS eS ag Va ee io eee Peed 3 | 27 50 
A total of 1,157 ears was examined. Of the ears in poor shucks, 4 
per cent were rotten, 34 per cent were discolored, and 58 per cent 
were affected with worm mold. Of the ears in good shucks, 1 per cent 
