About Kernel Size 
Kernels of different grades usually come from dif- 
ferent parts of the ear —but every kernel from a 
hybrid seed ear carries the same germ plasm, regard- 
less of its location on the ear. Small and Medium 
round kernels come from the tip of the ear, round 
and thick flats from the butt, and the various flat 
grades from the central portions. Modern day plant- 
ers have plates to handle any size and type of hybrid 
kernel — quite a step forward from the days when 
Grandpa used to “tip” and “butt” his open-pollinated 
seed ears, and use only the flat kernels which worked 
satisfactorily in the old type hill-drop planters. 
Tests at eleven state agricultural experiment stations 
show that round grades are equally as good as flat 
grades. Using a figure of 100% as the yield for 
medium flat grades, the tests showed an average 
rating of 106.2% for large rounds — 100.5% for small 
rounds. Here are the results: 
RELATIVE YIELDS 
EXPERIMENT Years Planted with: 
STATION Tested Butts ; Tips 
(Large Middles (Small 
Rounds) (Flats) Rounds) 
Nebraska 6 98.5 100 100.3 
Wisconsin 3 100 100 101 
Ohio 10 102 100 101 
Kansas 5 109 100 111 
Pennsylvania 4 98 100 102 
Tennessee | 123 100 95 
New York 4 99.8 100 103 
Ontario 1 104 100 102 
Georgia 3 106 100 108 
Arkansas 1 111 100 99 
Alabama 1 117 100 106 
Average 106.2 100 102.5 
SAVE BY USING MEDIUMS AND ROUNDS 
Southern States medium size kernels cost 75 cents a 
bushel less than Southern States large or regular size 
kernels. Also, a bushel of medium size kernels will 
plant two more acres than large size kernels — one 
more acre than regular size kernels. With mediums 
you save in seed cost and still plant a larger area. 
The number of kernels per pound of seed corn in 
different flat grades vary «according to the hybrid 
variety. Here are average number: 
Large Flats Regular Flats Medium Flats 
Kernels per pound.... 1200 1400 1600 
For lower seed cost with ease of planting, but with 
the same crop results, use Southern States round ker- 
nels instead of flat kernel sizes. They cost $3.50 per 
bushel less than SSC large and regular kernels. 
