10 



THE SEED-CORN SITUATION. 



the seed to germinate without having endured winter conditions. 

 It has been introduced into northern locahties where the winters 

 are severe. It has shown a remarkable abihty to adapt itself to 

 short summers, but is dependent upon man to care for its seed during 

 the winter. Without this care the corn crop would not perpetuate 

 itself in the United States. Our first duty in giving the crop oppor- 

 tunity to yield well is early selection and good preservation of the 

 seed. 



GOOD CARE OF SEED CORN. 



Good methods of caring for seed corn are described in Farmers' 

 Bulletin 415, entitled "Seed Corn." It has been demonstrated that 

 the early-fall use of seed-corn racks such as are illustrated in that 



Fig. 1.— Exterior view or a building constructed solely tor the good preservation of seed corn. It has 

 a concrete basement and flue. Warm air passes from the basement through openings in the lloor, 

 ascends through the corn, and escapes through ventilators. 



bulletin will increase the acre yield of corn by several bushels on 

 practically all farms. The initial cost is very slight, and the racks 

 will last a lifetime and are easily put out of the way when not in use. 

 Fortunately, with care good seed can be dried and stored at very httle 

 expense. But it must not be supposed that the returns will not war- 

 rant an expense, for it is doubtful whether another investment can be 

 made that will bring as great a profit as an investment in caring for 

 seed corn. A community seed-corn house could be operated to great 

 advantage. However, what is everybody's business is apt to be at- 

 tended to by nobody in particular. The sure way for a farmer to 

 avoid using his land and labor in planting seed of reduced i)roduc- 

 tiveness is by selecting his seed early and carhig for it well. It is not 



[Cir. 95] 



