midstaff line = stem shortened?

[Kieren MacMillan]

Hello all,

I don't have Ross or any comparable book...

Could someone please confirm that the stem on a midstaff note (e.g., a d in the 
bass clef) is traditionally shortened?
I always thought shortening started with notes in the space above/below the 
midstaff line -- looking through several of my library scores confirms this 
intuition.

Lilypond currently shortens such stems, which looks odd to my eye.

Thanks,
Kieren.