ACIDITY IK DETERMINING SOUNDNESS OF CORN. 
13 
an acidity of 22 c. c, but it will be seen also that these three samples 
were exceptionally low in percentage of germination. A fourth 
sample very low in percentage of germination did not exceed an 
acidity of 22 c. c. The agent or agencies which destroyed the germi- 
native power of this corn did not cause abnormal increase in degree 
of acidity. This is contrary to the general rule, because agencies 
which destroy germinative power are generally the same agencies 
which cause abnormal acidity. It is mainly through deterioration 
of the germ that the degree of acidity is increased, as shown in figures 
32 and 33 (p. 44). 
Table VIII summarizes the relationship of low germinative power 
to high acidity. Germination tests were made in connection with 
CROP OF /9/2. 
i yvr\|v^AA^W\y~Ai^w^ m ^ v 
^C/D/TV SOU MO COFM L//VE 
^pwv^ 
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.— Curves showing the uniformly low degree of acidity in corn selected for seed in which there is 
a high percentage of germination. 
acidity tests on all samples handled in this investigation. The 
samples in this table represent the widest possible range in quality 
and condition of corn, from first-class country crib corn in excellent 
condition through various conditions and stages of deterioration as 
found in corn shipped from country stations and arriving at terminal 
markets and European ports. The samples are grouped according 
to their source. The average degree of acidity of samples in each 
group which showed a percentage of germination less than 20 is com- 
pared with the average degree of acidity of samples which showed a 
percentage of germination ranging from 21 to 40, 41 to 60, 61 to 80, and 
81 to 100. The table shows that corn with a low germinative power 
is higher in degree of acidity than corn of high germinative power, 
irrespective of the source of the sample. 
