Selecting, scoring and storing seed corn and potatoes ..

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SERIES II. BULLETIN No. 20

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

NEBRASKA BOYS AND
GIRLS CLUB

SELECTING, SCORING AND
STORING SEED CORN AND
POTATOES

THE NEBRASKA CORN HUSKING
CONTEST

Issued Jointly by

- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEPARTMENT OF FARMERS’

INSTRUCTION INSTITUTES
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA,
LINCOLN

October. 1910

Monograph

INTRODUCTION.

This bulletin is one of the series published jointly by
the State Department of Public Instruction and the Depart-
ment of Farmers’ Institutes, University of Nebraska, for the
encouragement of the work of the Nebraska boys’ and girls’
club. The subject matter was written and compiled by A. E.
Nelson. This is the last of the special bulletins for members
of the Home Experiment Department and is sent to all mem-
bers enrolled for any of the work in agriculture. It contains
much of interest to others.

Each member is asked to read over carefully the entire
bulletin and to as carefully follow the directions. We receive
numerous letters from members in various departments ask-
ing questions which are answered in the bulletin, but the
member has failed to read carefully enough to get the informa-
tion. |

The next bulletin for the Nebraska boys’ and girls’ club
members will be a general bulletin sent to both boys and
girls. It will tell about the state meeting and corn show to
be held at Lincoln, January 16-20; it will explain the short
courses open to members and give other information which
will be of interest.

Fach member of the Home Experiment Department is
invited to take an active part in all work of a similar nature
in his respective county. We believe that members of this
department represent the most ambitious young people in
each county and shall expect good things from them in school
district and county contests.

_If any members have been unfortunate this year in being
unable to complete their work, or results have been unsatis-
factory, we trust that such members will have the necessary
amount of determination to profit by their failures and to
prepare for better things next year by learning all they can
about methods of procedure and how to avoid mistakes in
their work.

We continue to receive the co-operation of many people
and organizations in the work of our boys’ and girls’ clubs.
This bulletin is printed for us by The Twentieth Century
Farmer as an evidence of their interest in and appreciation
of the work of the boys’ and girls’ club in Nebraska. We ap-
preciate the kind words they say for us and are especially

2

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AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

grateful for their financial assistance in printing this bulletin.

Any members who for any reason have failed to report
how they are getting along with their work this year are
requested to make a final report after receiving this bulletin.
We are just as much interested in knowing the cause why
some have failed as to know of the success of others.

VAL KEYSER,

Superintendent Farmers’ Institutes, University of Nebraska.

EC. BrsSHo rR.

State Superintendent Public Instruction.

September 24, 1910.

FIRST STEP IN SEE-SAW METHOD OF TYING UP

4 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

WHAT IS A GOOD EAR OF CORN?
(By A. E. Nelson.)

Corn is raised for one thing—profit. It may have its fine
points, it may be interesting to study, the ear may be beau-
tiful, the plant even more so, but when all is said and done
the object of all corn production is profit. Seed corn and
show corn is for exactly the same thing, and the best seed
ear is the ear that is the most profitable for your locality.

There are four things that naturally come to one’s mind
when looking at an ear or sample of corn for either the show
room or the planter box. First, “Will it grow?’ Second,
“Will it yield?” Third, “Will it ripen?’ Fourth, “Does ‘it
show improvement?” If the person who is selecting the corn
can satisfy himself on these four points he is justified in
retaining the ear or the bushel of corn for show or seed pur-
poses.

The yield of an ear of corn is estimated by its size, its
weight, the size of the germs, the filling of the butts and tips
of the ears, the furrows between the rows and the size and
condition of the cob. An ear from most sections of Nebraska
should not exceed nine and one-half inches in length, and
seven inches in circumference, although the location of the
field in the state would influence this size considerably; for
instance, in the northern part of the state one would expect
a much smaller ear than in the southeastern corner.

It is well to select as large an ear as can thoroughly
mature in your locality. However, one should never sacrifice
maturity for size of ear. The depth of kernel will, to a large
extent, determine whether or not an ear will mature in the
section in which it is grown. The depth of kernel in most
sections of the state should not exceed one-half inch; how-
ever, here again the climatic condition and the location of the
field in the state would be the determining factor. In select-
ing corn with good butts and tips, bear in mind that it is
not so necessary that the kernels extend over the ends of
the ear, as that the corn should be of superior quality and
uniform in size and shape, when compared with the kernels
grown in the middle ear. Chaffy, starchy corn with tip caps-
that stick to the cob is always objectionable, both in the
planter box and in the show room.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 5

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THE EVOLUTION OF CORN

Very little can be told as to whether or not an ear will
grow by looking at the outside. The only method that can
give us any definite authority on the subject is the germina-
tion box. Sappy or chaffy ears showing mold-spores or wrinkled
backs on the kernels are always objectionable.

One of the requirements of a good show sample is that
it shows purity in the color of the cob and the grain. White
corn should be free from yellow or red kernels, and should
have a white cob. Yellow corn should be yellow throughout
and have a red cob. Calico corn may have either a white or
red cob but a mixed colored cob is preferred. ‘The kernels
should be of the same shape as well as of the same color, as
irregular shaped kernels will not pass through the planter box
and give an even drop. The rows should be straight as it
shows a certain amount of selection and the kernels are usually
more nearly the same size. The indentation or roughness of
the ear depends on the variety. Late maturing corn is as a
rule deeply indented. The earlier maturing corns such as flint,
squaw, and pop corn are not indented. One should take great
pains is selecting corn to see that the tips are not covered with
fine, smooth, hard, flinty kernels, as this is a sign of deterior-
ation, or running out of the corn.

6 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

METHODS OF SELECTING SEED IN THE FIELD.

If the seed corn planted on our farms last spring had been
harvested before the freezes of the previous fall, Nebraska
would be richer today by many thousands of dollars. The
corn contained moisture, the early frosts swelled the kernels,
breaking down and destroying the germs.

Corn should be selected from the field in the fall, for
several good reasons. For instance one should know some-
thing of the parentage of his seed. No farmer would think of
buying an animal to head his dairy herd without inquiring in-
to its ancestry. Besides many other important questions, he
would ask whether or not the sire, dam, grand dam etc., of
such an animal were of a good milking strain. The “Ear to
Row Test” conducted by many of the boys and girls of
Nebraska this past season is the best known method of
studing the parentage of our corn. However, many of us
were not so situated that we could carry out this experiment
and must therefore select our seed from a general field.

In selecting seed corn from the field we have an oppor-
tunity to study the environment under which the corn was
grown. ‘There are many factors which contribute to, and take
part in the production of an ear of corn. The physical con-
dition of the soil, the fertility of the soil, amount of moisture
present, kind of soil, that is clay, sand, suwb-soil, etc., influence
the stand and yield.

The corn grower should select seed ears from stalks that
are of medium height and foliage. It should be a standing
stalk with a good root system. ‘The ear should hang at a
medium height, have a rather short, medium sized shank, and
droop at an angle of about sixty-five degrees. Such an ear is
usually of medium maturity, is of the proper height to be
husked with the least effort and hangs at such an angle that
snow or water cannot enter beneath the husks. Ears that are
born near the ground are usually early maturing ears. Ears
that hang high on the stalk are objectionable as they are gen-
erally late maturing, hard to husk and, because of their posi-
tion break the stalk easily in a wind storm. Asa rule ears born
high on the stock point nearly straight up, allowing the snow
and rain to enter beneath the shucks and decrease the vitality
of the kernels.

“I

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Corn that is thoroughly matured contains about ten and
one-half per cent of water. In the fall of the year, at the time
of our first killing frost, it contains a far greater quantity. Ex-
periments have proven beyond a doubt that the harder and
oftener corn is frozen, the greater is the decrease in vitality.
Those who tested seed that remained in the snow and freezes

SECOND STEP IN SEE-SAW METHOD

of the winter of 1909-1910 are convinced of this fact without
further argument.

The majority of us wait until spring to select our seed.
We then go to the crib, scoop the corn from side to side and
select the largest and deepest kerneled ears. This is a mistake.
If the facts were known, these large ears came from the low,
fertile places in the field or where the stand was exceptionally
thin and if planted on medium ground under average con-
ditions they will not prove so efficient as the average sized
ear raised under adverse conditions. Practically all the corn
in the crib was husked after a severe frost. The ears selected

8 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

were frozen when put into the crib. During the warm fall and
spring days they thawed out, it turned cold and they froze
again. They had no chance to dry out. Mold set in. It is
reasonable to believe that corn selected and cared for in that
way is not fit for seed.

SEE-SAW STRING COMPLETED

Another method often used, to which there are some ob-
jections, is selecting the seed at the time the corn is unloaded.
After the ear is once in the wagon one can tell nothing of the
stalk that produced the ear or the location of that stalk in the
field. As a great many farmers practice unloading after sup-
per by lantern light, much corn is necessarily selected in the
semi-dusk. The larger ears, many of which are sappy and
immature are of course the ones that attract the selector’s
attention. When a man has husked corn all day he is tired,
his sense of sight is somewhat dulled and he is, as a rule, in
no mood or condition to select seed by lantern light.

Some fasten a box along side of the wagon, others par-
tition off a small space in the wagon. When a good ear is

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 9

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SEED CORN RACK FILLED

found the intention is to put it in either the box or the space
partitioned off. This is generally the result: We husk along
all day and forget to select seed. About dusk we see that we
have only three seed éars selected. “Well,” we say, “that
wont do, [ll have to get that box full’ and we throw every
large ear into the seed box. Another thing, a farmer can
hardly expect his help, hired to husk by the bushel, to stop, ex-
amine each ear he husks and place the desirable seed ears in a
small space partitioned off for that purpose or in a box along-
side of the wagon. ‘There wouldn’t be much in it for the hired
man.

The last three methods mentioned above are all im-
provements on the “Crib selection method,” but the selecting
is all done after the corn is frozen, and as a general thing with-
out any definite knowledge of the stalk that produced the ear
or the stalks surrounding it.

The person who has lived in the State for a few years can
almost invariably predict a killing frost a few days in advance.
This varies considerably in different sections. All seed corn
should be selected before a killing frost. This means we

10 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

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SHELVES FOR STORING CORN

should go through the field and select our seed before husking
time. Probably the easiest method it to tie a hitch-strap to
the top and bottom, on the same side, of a gunny sack. Pass
the strap over the right shoulder and allow the sack to hang
under the left arm. ‘This leaves both arms free. The farmer
can now pass through his field and select ears conforming to
his ideal. If he is especially particular, he can fasten an ear to
his suspenders and.use this ear as a sort of pattern to follow.

Some men collect their seed in a common market basket
carried on the arm. ‘This method has the advantage of leaving
the corn exposed, and enables one to select corn of a more uni-
form type.

Corn has been collected successfully and easily by making
a hole in one side of a common grain sack near the top. The
ear can be slipped through the hole, leaving the hand free
One can select about three-fourths bushel by this method
before empting the sack.

Where a large quantity of seed is to be selected it is better
to make a seed corn sled. ‘These sleds much resemble the old
fashioned stone boats. Make a box about three feet wide, two

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 11

PRIZE WINNERS IN FIRST (1906) COUNTY CORN SHOW IN PAWNEE COUNTY

feet high and eight feet long. Fasten this to runners made by
rounding off the ends of two half cedar posts or two railroad
ties. Place two uprights in the center of the box one at each
end. Let them protrude about four feet above the sides of
the box. Stretch a strong piece of canvas between the up-
rights. Fasten a single-tree to the runner and your sled is
complete. It is advisable to place a wire muzzle on the horse
to prevent it from tearing off the ears and breaking down the
stalks. The sled can be drawn between the rows, thus making
no “down row.” <A man can select the best seed ears from ten
rows on each side of the sled. The canvas is stretched over
the center of the sled and acts as a sort of “bang-board” when
the ears are thrown against it. One man can select about
five bushels of good seed in eight hours by using either the
sack or basket method. He should be able to double that
amount when the seed corn sled is brought into use.

12 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

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GOOD EXHIBIT OF UNIFORM EARS

STORING SEED CORN.

After the corn has been selected it should be stored care-
fully and in such a place that it will dry out quickly but natur-
ally. Many corn growers make a mistake by throwing their
seed in some out of the way place where it cannot dry out
thoroughly. I have seen corn stored in salt-barrels, vegetable
cellars, boxes, potato caves, and other damp, unventilated
places, and the next spring, the owners of the seed wondered
why they had such a poor stand.

Many of us are making a mistake by throwing our seed
corn on top of the oats in the oat bin. The oats go through a
certain process of “sweating” in which they give off consider-
able moisture. This moisture is of course detrimental to the
seed corn. Experiments have proven that in almost every
case where corn was stored in the barn, hog house, hen house
or near any of the farm animals, the vitality has been reduced.
This is doubtless due to the moisture given off by the animals.

Many of us practice piling or “ricking’’ our seed corn
along the wall ina close room or bin. ‘The ears are laid one on
top of another, touching each other on three or four sides. It
is impossible for corn piled in this way to dry out throughly
without molding more or less.

There are many desirable ways of storing seed corn.
Any method that will keep the ears from coming into direct
contact with each other or some other object is good. There
are sO many ways this can be done that it hardly seems neces-

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 13

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INFERIOR AND IRREGULAR BUNCH OF CORN

sary to give specific directions, however for the amateur a few
suggestions may not come amiss.

Experiment Stations have proven that one of the cheapest
and best ways to store seed corn is by tying the ears together
in lots of ten with a strong piece of binder-twine looped around
the middle of each ear. (See illustration). This allows ample
circulation of air and if the strings are tied to wires suspended
between rafters, mice cannot get at it.

Another excellent method, much faster than the one just
described, is the “see-saw” method illustrated by the photo-
graphs. ‘The “seed corn tree” has been used very successfully
and can be made at little expense. The two base boards are
made of one by four inch lumber, are thirty-six inches long
and are notched so that the edges of both boards touch the
ground squarely. Any discarded pan slipped over the top of
the post before the nails are driven, will prevent the mice from
damaging the corn. The nails to hold the ears are ten-penny
finishing nails. ‘They should be driven at an upward slant of
forty-five degrees. This will prevent the ears from falling off
during the drying process. The upright is usually a seven
foot, round cedar post. If the nails are arranged carefully a
“Seed corn tree’ can be made to hold five bushels.

Wire chicken netting strung between rafters has been
used as a place to store seed corn with limited success. The
ears which are pushed through the meshes in the wire often
fall out during the drying process.

14 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Probably the best known place to store seed corn is over
the drive way of a double corn crib. Here it is out of the way
and has a free circulation of air. Another good place is a well
ventilated attic. In selecting a place to store seed corn, one
should always keep these two things in mind: First, seed
corn, during the “drying out” process, requires a free circu-
lation of air at a temperature above freezing. Second: It
should be hung in such a way and place that mice, rats or
other pests cannot get at it.

“But,” we say, “all the collecting and storing of seed corn,
takes too much time.’”’ Did you ever stop to think that it takes
but twelve medium sized seed ears to plant an acre of corn?
That next year’s crop largely depends on the selection and
care of an armful, a good horse feed, of corn for each acre of
corn you plant? It seems reasonable that if the law, “Like
will produce like” is true there is no job on the farm that
should receive so much care and attention as the selection of
our seed corn each fall.

A POOR WAY OF TYING UP CORN

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 15

A PART OF PAWNEE COUNTY EXHIBIT (Feb. 8-10, 1906)

SELECTING A SAMPLE OF CORN FOR SHOW.

Notice—

Rule 1. All ten-ear exhibits having one or more ears
with an off-colored cob, or having a total of more than twenty
off-colored kernels on the ten ears, which in the estimation
of the judge is due to a mixture of white and yellow types
of corn, shall be disqualified—unless entered in classes for
other than yellow or white varieties.

Rule 2. Any ear entered in the single-ear class, which
in the estimation of the judge shows a mixture of white and
yellow varieties either in the kernels or in the cob, shall be
disqualified—unless entered in a class for other than yellow or
white varieties.

A ten-ear show sample should be uniform throughout.
The ears should be of the same roughness, shape, length,
circumference, etc. The tips and butts should be equally well
filled on all ears, and covered with kernels of the same size
and shape. If ears are of the same circumference and have
the same number of rows, the kernels will be of the same
width. The germs should be of the same general size and

16 AGRICULTURAL EDUCALION

shape. The ten ears should be of the same shade of yellow
or white, and free from mixture in both the cob and kernels.

The following score card will assist the amateur in select-
ing corn for the show room:

Score Card.

ADAPTABILITY 20
SIZEMONMECATSRANE Rl eo eae eee LON Sho See ee ee eee
RAD ETIESSW aim hoicehiscseisissers Wo ales Sins odeictcents faa tnesoentGic-o.00'0
Billinotoh/ikernells css. ci aelde ole On inno Gotan otcaes ao

UNIFORMITY 30

Of Ears
Size SRP ens 05.8 a Hea silas. 4 =
Shape Se Mec aseclanacoan ses
Colonia ce. Oren ors Fe eiete akeo eee | Gee ee
ndentattonte semis: -clecieee creer Beat Seva, 2) atalivenet lace ieee atte lat eae ae ee
Of Kernels
SIZE ee lees sin Renae poe eles Ne ones pey es sy ees Soe oS Saleen
Shap Careers a levoes, Soeecem love vg een fell Ole eat] ast ei eee cl eS

SOUNDNESS AND VIABILITY 25
Condition one Germs aeeeee LO Rear pean er Oy oe
Conditiongoreelaulliaaeaeeencone By ee IP chats sNciere morte Meee
BPreedom: from inyjuny se. © «cls Gish iste lonettealave cere teres choos
Solidity of Ears and of Kernels

OnedGObee ae nk aoe wees SAR ol ReneS «AAS SVE 6 o\c

SIEWATEE Ere ON PPE ARR Sipe oe ho act oo eiat os oho eee nee fet 5 ee

COL ORO Ms COMB Siete ocieie erence cetera Ou Raee 5).

COL ORVOR; TEE RINIAGS ee eae ecient eae Be rcraee

SIGUE, (OUR RIDIN ILS 654 code advulleodmoo de od Santeria

BIULEARS yAUNAD AIT S Ape paren A Cae kei eae ea Al heat ee Di ae

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

Adaptability: (20) Of great importance in selecting seed corn.
Indicated in part by the following:
(a) Size of Ear. (10) The following sizes are given as repre-

sentative of each section.
Eastern Section:
Western Section:
(b) Ripeness:

immature, the kernels may contain
loose their tip caps in shelling.
(c) Filling of Kernels: (5)
considered best.
indicative of late maturity.
Uniformity: (30)

some Sap.

Necessary in all exhibits.

Length, 9% inches; circumference, 7 inches.
Length, 8 inches; circumference, 6 inches.

ag (5) An essential quality in corn.
solidity of kernels, rigidity of cob and firmness of kernels on cob.

Indicated by

be

Such kernels often

Kernels of medium roughness are
The kernels with a chaffy crown “pinched dent” is

Hence the ears

and kernels of the exhibit should possess uniform characteristics.
For purposes of study, two kernels may be removed from one row
in each ear between three and four inches from the butt.

_ Soundness and Viability: (25) Of great importance.
will not grow is worse than worthless.

_ (a) Condition of Germ: (10) The germ should be bright and
oily. A pale, shrunken, dull looking germ indicates poor vitality. A
dark colored one indicates injury from frost or moisture or from
both.

(b) Condition of Hull: (5) Germination tests show that ker-
nels with a blistered or wrinkled hull will either not grow or are of
low vitality—the lack of vitality varying with the degree of blister.

Seed that

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 17,

(c) Freedom from Injury: (5) There should be no missing,
mouldy, cracked, or otherwise injured kernels. (The two kernels
removed for study, excepted.)

(d) Solidity of Ears and of Kernels on Ears: (5) Ears should
be firm. In many cases looseness of kernels and weakness of cob
indicates poor vitality.

Shape of Ears: (5) Varies with variety. In general the ears
should be cylindrical or nearly so. A good rule is “circumference
three-fourths the length.” (The circumference measured at one-third
the length of the ear from the butt.)

Color of Cobs: (5) Grain free from evidence of mixing shows
careful breeding. Cobs of uncertain tints suggest impure breeding.

Color of Kernels: (5) ‘The same rule holds as for color of cob.

Shape of Kernels: (5) Kernels should narrow gradually from
crown to tip, with straight edges that touch full length. The two
sides of the kernel facing ends of the ear should be parallel. The
shoe-peg type of kernel is objectionable.

Butts and Tips: (5) The butt should be smoothly rounded over
with straight rows of uniform kernels. The shank should not be too
large, but should have sufficient size to support the ear.

Tips should be covered well towards the end with straight rows
of uniform kernels. Irregular, shallow or small kernels are more
objectionable than tips somewhat exposed. Very tapering tips are
objectionable.

“TO THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.”
Making the Entries.

Where possible the white uniform tags should be used.
These can be attached to the ears of corn with a rubber band.
On the aprons and the dress goods the tag should be fastened
with a pin. After the exhibits have been judged the con-
testants’ name, address, etc., should be filled in on the entry tag.

Shipping to the State Show.

After the show is over, the exhibits should be placed in
strong boxes lined with screen. ‘They should then be nailed
up tightly and set away. In case the corn is too green to
pack, hang each contestant’s sample on a string suspended
from a wire or some other place where it will be impossible
for mice to reach it. Every precaution should be taken to
protect the children’s exhibits from mice, rats, water, etc.

SELECTING POTATOES FOR THE CONTEST.
(By Val Keyser)
The first thing is to study the score card and become
thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of the card. This
score card was drawn up for the boys’ contest work, it being

18 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

necessary to have a standard by which the exhibitors and the
judge can be guided. As soon as you are familiar with the
essential points which compose a good exhibit, place the po-
tatoes which have been chosen as worthy of consideration on
a table before you, and carefully select the twelve best tubers
which conform to the regulations of the score card. If two
exhibits are equally good in all respects, except size, the
larger potatoes will be given first place unless the judge
should deem them too large. It has been found that medium-
sized tubers of proper shape usually cook better and are more
profitable for seed and for the market. ‘This applies to early
varieties rather than late.

Score Card for Potatoes.
Ninicietivee Name wertsoeric csr cicero es

| Value: | ‘Score: | Score
Winitonmity coke Dita eerie eer 20 PS a bal torre © 6. 6
rweness ot ype...) ie wecsc oes woe 10 id. lale, Bk ee |S
Shaper ommebubeneenccriccm cect 15 ts oily teins: 2 sl SORT
SiZewoneebuberhe mre pre ois o cctoo ee 15 PRE a leer nee
EES Meee doe Sean cde Ero aR Ste ees ert
Skin SiS Oi a a See Ia | aprertean caete Cts
Mextunenoh evubenr. saeco i eo Se ea eee
SGundinessa usenet eee eee LOR ie tee eae eer.
Freedom from Blemishes.... ees Se 2 See eee

SO EAS ae A eer nein iar te A eae nine 100

ContestantsauN amen ee ae trin cone tne

Dates cdc cron thas eee ee ee

Explanation of Score Card.

Uniformity of Exhibit—Select twelve potatoes that are uniform
in size, shape, color, and which have uniformly well defined eyes of
the same depth.

Trueness to Type—Each potato should be typical of the variety
to which it belongs, i. e., the characteristics should be clearly de-
fined, enabling one to easily identify it.

Shape of Tuber—The shape of the potato will depend largely
upon variety, but the flat-round or oval shape is favored, because
these shapes usually give best quality tubers.

Size of Tuber—As a rule, select medium-sized potatoes, but if
two exhibits are otherwise equal, choose the larger, unless potatoes
are so large as to be considered overgrown.

Eyes—The eyes of the potato should be medium deep, well de-
fined and not too numerous. Deep eyes cause waste in peeling and
have a tendency to affect shape of tuber. Eyes too shallow are low
in vitality.

Skin—The skin may be whitish, brown, redish, yellowish brown,
blue or black, depending on variety. It may be thick or thin, tough
or brittle. A thick, fairly tough skin is preferred, lenticels not too
prominent, or potatoes Sunburned.

Texture of Tuber—This is determined by cutting tuber. A
fairly fine grained, brittle texture is preferred. A tough texture does
not cook up mealy and is usually poor in flavor.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 19

Soundness—Select potatoes that are sound and firm, not wrinkled
and flabby. Hollow potatoes are objectionable, likewise any internal
discoloration indicating a diseased condition. The judge should cut
two potatoes in each exhibit.

Freedom from Blemishes—The judge will deduct from score for
scab spots or skin ruptures from any other disease, cuts, bruises,
scratches or any other defects.

Definitions.

A large potato is a potato larger than the average
twelve year old boy’s fist.

A medium sized potato is a potato larger than an aver-
age size hen’s egg, but smaller than a twelve year old boy’s fist.

A small potato is a potato smaller than an average size
hen’s egg, but larger than an English walnut.

A cull is a potato smaller than an English walnut and also
scabby, badly sun burned, decayed or badly bruised. In fact,
culls include all potatoes that are not fit for the market.

Directions—Plow out each row of potatoes carefully
and in such a way that the potatoes from one row will not
become mixed with the potatoes from connecting rows.
Gather all the potatoes including the small and scabby ones.
Collect the potatoes from the first row, which will be the one
containing the products from the one-eighth potatoes planted
in each hill. Weigh these potatoes and mark weights in the
proper square under “B.” Divide the potatoes into large,
medium, small and cull lots. Weigh each lot and write the
weights in the proper square under “C,” “D,” “E,” and “F.”

To Find the Per Cent of Large Potatoes—Divide the
number of pounds of large potatoes by the total weight of
potatoes in the row, and insert the figure in the proper square
under “G.” .

To Find the Per Cent of Medium Potatoes—Divide total
weight of medium potatoes by the total weight of potatoes
in the row and insert the figure in the proper square under
column “H.”

To Find the Per Cent of Small Potatoes—Divide the
total weight of small potatoes by the total weight of potatoes
in the row and insert in the proper square under “T.”

To Find the Per Cent of Culls—Divide the total weight
of culls by the total weight of potatoes in the row and insert
in the proper square under “J.”

POTATO FIELD IN NORTHWESTERN NEBRASKA

To Find the Number of Bushels Per Acre—Divide the
total number of pounds of potatoes raised on each row by
100 (the number of hills in each row.) Multiply this num-
ber by 8306 (the number of hills on an acre when planted 18
inches apart in rows 3 feet 6 inches apart.) Divide this num-
ber by 60 (the number of pounds in a bushel of potatoes.)
The result will be the number of bushels per acre.

SOME CORN DEFINITIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR
FINDING PER CENT OF STAND.

A Sucker is a stalk without roots of its own. It is us-
ually attached to another stalk below or very near the sur-
face of the ground. Care should be taken not to confuse
suckers and barren stalks.

A Barren Stalk is a stalk without an ear on it.

A Smutted Stalk is a stalk containing smut, a black,
powdery substance, on any part of the stalk or ear.

To Count the Stand—Begin at the first hill in the first
row and count all the stalks in each hill in the row. Mark
down the number of stalks in each hill. These correspond
with the number of hills in the row. Ifa hill contains no stalks
write 0; if it contains one stalk write 1, etc. After the first
row is completed count the second row and so on until the

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hills in each row are counted.

To Find the Total Suckers—Count all the suckers in each
row and write the number.

To Find the Total Barren Stalks—Count all the barren
stalks in each row and write the number.

To Find the Total Smutted Stalks—Count all stalks af-
fected by smut in each row and write the number.

To find the 0 Stalk Hills—Count from the record (each
row) all the hills containing no stalks.

To find the 1 Stalk Hills—Count from the record (each
row) all the hills having one stalk.
To find the 2 Stalk Hills—Count from the record (each

row) all the hills having two stalks.

To find the 3 Stalk Hills—Count from the record (each
row) all the hills having three stalks.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 23

To Find the Total Stalks in Row—Multiply the 3 stalk
hills in each row by 3, and the 2 stalk hills in each row by 2.
Add the products obtained by this multiplication and the
number of hills having 1 stalk in each row. The number ob-
tained from this addition will give the total stalks in the row.

To Find Per Cent Suckers—Divide the total number of
suckers in each row by the total number of stalks in the
same row.

To Find Per Cent Barren Stalks—Divide the total num-
ber of barren stalks in each row by the total number of stalks
in the same row.

To Find the Per Cent Smutted Stalks—Divide the total
number of smutted stalks in each row by the total number of
stalks in the same row.

To Find Per Cent Stand—Divide the total stalks in each
row by the number there should be.

TO THOSE ENTERED IN THE EAR TO ROW TEST.

It is now fall. You have noted the difference in growth
between the ten ears of corn planted last spring. You have
seen how that one ear produced ears high on the stalk, while
another produced the ear close to the ground. You have
noticed considerable difference in the per cent of barren stalks,
suckers, smutted stalks, per cent stand, etc., produced on each
row. Now we have come to the most interesting and impor-
tant step in our whole season’s work; we will find out which
ear yielded the most corn of the best quality. This can only be
done by following the instructions closely and paying minute
attention to the definitions of seed ear, marketable ear, nubbin
and worthless ear. ‘The equipment you will need is a husking
peg, a pair of reliable scales and a basket or box in which to
weigh the corn from each row. When you enter the total
weight of corn on the report card, be sure you subtract each
time the weight of the box, basket or sack in which the corn
is weighed. If this is not done, your results will not be
correct.

Be sure to husk all the ears in the row, whether large,
small or worthless. If an ear is found lying between two
rows, look around and see what row the stalk it came from is

24 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

in. Then put it back in the proper row so that you will not
get it mixed with corn from another row.

Instructions—Definitions.

1. Seed Ear: An ear of corn showing the requirements
of a good seed ear.

2. Marketable Ear: An ear not good enough for seed
but well matured, round and in such condition that it will sell
well on the market.

3. Nubbin: A short, stunted ear, less than five inches
long or an ear having kernels on but one side.

4. Worthless Ear: An ear with but few kernels on the
cob, one that is moldy, rotten or in some other way useless
as feed.

Directions.
Do not weigh closer than one-fourth pound.

1. Total Weight of Pounds of Corn on Row: Found by
husking every ear on the row, whether good or not, and weigh-
ing on a reliable scale.

2. Weight of Seed Ears: Found by sorting out and
weighing all the nubbins on the row.

3. Weight of Marketable Ears: Found by sorting out
and weighing all the marketable ears on the row.

4. Weight of Nubbins: Found by sorting out and
weighing all the nubbins found on the row.

5. Weight of Worthless Ears: Found by sorting out and
weighing all the worthless ears on the row.
6. PerCent of Seed Ears: Found by dividing the

weight of seed ears by the total number of pounds of corn on
the row.

7. Per Cent of Marketable Ears: Found by dividing the
weight of marketable ears by the total number of pounds of
corn on row.

8. Per Cent of Nubbins: Found by dividing the weight
of nubbins by the total number of pounds of corn on the row.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION Za

9. Per Cent of Worthless Ears: Found by dividing the
weight of the worthless ears by the number of pounds of corn
on the row.

10. Number of bushels per acre: This is the most im-
portant point ofall. Found by dividing the number of pounds
of corn on the row by 100 the number of hills in the row. The
answer will be the number of pounds corn on one hill. Mul-
tiply this number by 3556, (the number of hills on an acre
when planted 3 feet 6 inches each way.) ‘The answer will be
the number of pounds of corn produced on 3556 hills or one
acre. Divide this number by 75, the number of pounds in a
bushel at this time of year. The result is the number of
bushels per acre.

Note: The contestant will find it advisable to reduce
all fractions to decimals when figuring percentage. Do not
carry any problems out farther than one place to the right
hand side of the decimal point.

FIRST ANNUAL NEBRASKA CORN HUSKING
CONTEST.

Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Club.
(Rules and Regulations.)
1. Any person under twenty-one years of age is eligible
to this contest.

2. He must husk eight hours in the same day, four hours
in the forenoon and four in the afternoon.

3. He must stop one hour at noon.
4. He must use the same team the entire day.

5. He may have no person, other than himself, drive or
lead the team attached to the wagon in which he is husking.

6. He shall use a common farm wagon.

7. He may husk in any field he sees fit, whether his own
or some other.

8. He may use any make of husking-peg, hook or other
device attachable to the hand or wrist. f

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9. He may use gloves, cloth mittens or any other pro-
tection to his hands he wishes.

10. He must husk all ears more than three inches long
as he goes along, whether on the ground or attached to the
stalks.

11. Practically all husks must be removed from the ears
before thrown into the wagon. Not more than one husk to
three ears will be allowed.

12. He may use no endgate more effective than the or-
dinary “Boss” endgate.

13. He must unload his load of corn without the assist-
ance of another person.

14. He must unload his corn with a scoop-shovel.

15. He must have his loads unloaded before the ex-
piration of the eight hours mentioned in (2).

16. The affidavit as indicated, must be filled out and sent
to the county superintendent, who will forward the same to
the state superintendent.

AFFIDAVIT.
(To be filled in before a Notary Public.)

NUM 5 Ae Pe hk ee ee residing in
MEMO DIMEN OE a oe Anat eater ae ee and the State
Oi ec lieeece e being first duly sworn, depose
ane say, that I did on the......... Peta Go (lM ako) Bareee Weer neato
eo) sheen ee pounds, maine) 22 ce bushels

of corn according to the Rules and Regulations printed on
page 25 of this bulletin.

ee rot contestant... years. Address of contestant :
Ponti. re County 58.04 ee eee
State of Nebraska,
ss
| ae County
Co day, Of). eae Oe te! Se

28 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

County) came. a ae

who is personally known to me to be the identical person
whose name is affixed to the foregoing Affidavit.

Witness my hand and seal at... ee
on the date last above mentioned.

CERTIFICATE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT1.

Ursa sls meh eee County Superintendent
of Public. Instruction (Of. 2 casa
(GSN 0 oy Alea ne ee eee ee Nebraska, certify that to the

extent of my knowledge and belief the accompanying report

(0) 1S eee vine er cronies SRI See UR) eeriar eee A , a contestant

in the Nebraska corn husking contest is true and correct in
every particular.

ED CORN TREE

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