666 



Junior Naturalist Monthly, 



Seeds from a dozen different ears of corn, and from several packets 

 of onion seed were carefully numbered to match the squares in the tester 

 and a record made. Then they were put in a warm place, kept moist, 

 and watched from day to day. All had exactly the same conditions and 

 treatment, but just see the difference in their behavior! 



In taking the seed from the corn, some were the small, unformed 

 kernels at the tip of the ear, others from the stem end, and others from 

 the center of the ear. There were different varieties : pop-corn, sweet 

 corn, and yellow and white field corn. 



Study the pictures. You would know that the packet of onion seed 

 marked No. 19 would be worthless to plant. No. 18 has but one sprout 

 in five, others are feebly putting forth, but on Nos. 6 and 7 every seed 

 shows vigorous growth. Onion seeds vary greatly in power to grow and 

 it is a very unwise farmer who plants them without testing. 



Of the corn, Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 were kernels from butts and tips 

 of different ears. Three have sprouted, but only one shows vigor. From 

 ears looking equally good 24 and 25 were taken but one has germinated 

 more swiftly than its neighbor, and with a stronger shoot. I took 14 

 and 15 from ears of yellow Western corn, 19 and 20 from white, but all 

 four are deep-meated kernels, sixteen rows to the ear. There is no doubt 

 of their vigor. The pop-corn was a two year old ear which had lain 

 drying in a drawer. I dare say it would have popped much better than 



Dittcrcnt results from different packets of seed, all treated alike. 



