4i6 Circular No. i. 



SIX LOWBST YIELDING SAMPLES BU= PER ACRE 



31-5 



2Z 

 34 

 36 



37 

 40 



Average 35.6 



The difference in the average yield of the six highest and six lowest 

 yielding samples is 41.9 bushels per acre, while between sample No. 44 

 and sample 59, there is a difference of 49 bushels per acre. "This 

 great difference," says Professor Holden, "was due largely to the differ- 

 ence in the vitality of the seed, as in every case the low yielding samples 

 had given a poor stand." These same differences are occurring right 

 here in New York State and for the same reason — poor seed. By testing 

 the germination of corn for planting, seed of strong vitality can be 

 secured and there is probably no one thing which will do more to make 

 the corn crop of New York State average more bushels per acre than 

 the use of seed that will grow. 



Since it takes but 15 to 24 ears to plant an acre, it is readily seen that 

 if some of these ears are of low vitality serious loss will result. Some 

 farmers believe that they can tell by simple examination which ears 

 will grow, but even where this ability has been acquired, as the result of 

 long practice, the results are very inaccurate. The only reliable method 

 of determining which ears will grow and which will not is by an actual 

 germination test. A test of this sort is so simple and so easily made 

 that by two hours of actual work enough corn can be tested to plant 

 ten acres. It is safe to say that no time spent in caring for the corn 

 crop will be so well paid for by a corresponding increase in the yield. 

 It is not a question of cost or time, for certainly every grower can afford 

 the little time and expense necessary to make such a test of the seed 

 they expect to plant. 



SELECTION OF GOOD SEED EARS. 



The first process in the preparation of the seed corn is the selection 

 of the best ears. As every corn grower knows, this selection of the best 

 ears for seed is very important A good ear of corn in general should 

 be cylindrical in shape and of about the same diameter from base to 

 tip. It is very easy to find ears too long and slender to give the best 

 results. The ear giving the largest weight of shelled com of good quality 



