6 special contests for coen-club woek. 



fall corn contests. 



Instructions in Seed-Corn Selection. 



Bear in mind that upon junir faithfulness in the selection of seed 

 corn for vitality, quality, and high-yielding value depends much 

 of your success in crop production for the next season. Your work 

 will influence countless others in this most important phase of farm 

 work and economy. 



All seed corn should be selected early in the fall, just as soon as 

 the corn is mature and dry enough for seed, and it must be done 

 before the fall freezing begins. Select early matured ears from the 

 carefully selected stalks; if possible, increase your yield by your 

 selection fi'om two-ear stalks. Select the best ear on this ideal mother 

 stalk, or, if two are suitable for seed, select both. Of course, for a few 

 years it will be quite imi^ossible for the club member to secure 

 enough seed corn which will meet the above standard. Have the 

 ideal in mind, however, and select your best corn and get as near 

 to this standard as possible. 



Remember that you must have ideals in mind, first, of the mother 

 stalk ; second, of the perfect ear ; third, of the perfect grain ; and all 

 this must conform to the standard which applies to your particular 

 breed of corn. 



Every farmer should have a seed-corn breeding plat at the head 

 of his crops, just as he maintains a good male unit at the head of 

 his hog and stock herds. As a club member you can do much to 

 educate the people of our country as to the importance and absolute 

 need of careful seed selection and a well-protected seed plat. Re- 

 member to select for vitality, quality, and high production. " Like 

 begets like." The following will furnish you with a brief guide in 

 the matter of selecting seed corn : 



(1) Type of plant: 



(a) Stalk, without suckers, strong and thick at base; large and well- 

 developed roots; ears about four feet from base. 



(6) Seed ear, large, sound, well shaped, good weight, strong shank, 

 tip turned down. Select early-maturing ears with perfect husks. 



(c) The grains of corn on the ear should have a large, healthy germ, 

 good color, deep grained, and wide at the apex. 



(2) Storage: Store in a dry place of uniform temperature; test for vitality 

 before planting. No seed of which less than 95 per cent is germinable should 

 be used. 



(3) Ideal ear for seed and exhibition : 



(a) Size and color determined by breed type. 



(&) Sound, mature, good-looking. 



(c) Cylindrical and must carry diameter well from butt to tip; 



should taper very slightly from butt to tip. 

 id) Rows should be straight and compact. 

 <e) Butt and tip well fille<l ; show shank and sign of cob tip. 

 (/) Cob one-half diameter of ear. 

 [Cir. 104] 



