MAY, 1909 CIRCULAR No. 6 



CORNELL UNIVERSITY 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF 



THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 



Department of Plant Physiology 



SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING TREATMENT OF SEED CORN 

 WITH DETERRENTS AGAINST CROWS 



B. M. DuGGAR and M. M. McCool 



A number of inquiries are received every year respecting the use of 

 odorous or other obnoxious substances on corn in order to deter crows 

 from digging out and eating the seed after planting. In many cases 

 the inquiries indicate the need for specific information on the practi- 

 cabiHty of using coal tar in this connection. Any one who has given 

 attention to this matter, as discussed in the agricultural press, will have 

 ascertained that in certain sections of the country farmers have employed 

 tar water, or tar, for the purpose indicated. More or less specific direc- 

 tions have been given occasionally, indicating methods which might be 

 employed. It may be of interest to cite the directions furnished in two 

 cases, evidently the result of experience. 



(/) It is advised to place the seed corn in a tub, to cover the seed 

 with water and to pour upon it about two tablespoonfuls of tar per 

 bushel of corn. A vigorous stirring is then given. The water is poured 

 off and the corn is spread out to dry. (2) Pour upon ten quarts of corn 

 one tablespoonful of coal tar. Stir in well until practically every grain 

 is covered, then add a handful or two of wood ashes or land plaster and 

 stir again. 



The use of ashes or land plaster is designed to prevent sticking together 

 of the seed and subsequent difficulty in planting. The writers have ascer- 

 tained that the above or similar practices are more or less common. It 

 seemed advisable, therefore, to secure some definite data regarding the 

 effectiveness and the practicability of such operations. 



Any substances which may be employed as deterrents should combine 

 certain obvious qualities. Without reference to the relative importance 

 of these qualities they may be enumerated as follows : 



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