682 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



herence of the tip cap of the kernel to the cob exposing the germ are 

 all indications of weak vitality. These tests, however, are merely ex- 

 ternal and they serve merely as a guide for "guesswork." It is difficult 

 for us to determine whether kernels are weak or strong, nor can we tell 

 in plant life where life begins or ends. The only reliable test is the 

 germination box. If every ear of corn to be planted next spring were 

 tested this winter, it would be the most profitable improvement that we 

 could make. 



Corn should show a reasonably high-shelling percentage — that is, 85 

 to 87 per cent of corn to cob. The cob should be of medium size. The 

 cob, as the kernel itself, bears the same relation to the ear of corn that 

 the bone does to the animal. It may be too fine or too coarse. A coarse 

 cob indicates poor quality, generally a low-shelling percentage, and fre- 

 quently poor type. Such corn usually drys out slowly and hence it is 

 usually poor in vitality because subject to frost. Small, undersized cobs 

 may contain long, loose kernels with narrow contracted germs, poor in 

 feeding value and low in vitality. A medium sized cob with a kernel 

 slightly tapering toward the tip and of medium depth is to be preferred. 

 Extreme depth is not associated with high-shelling corn. On the other 

 hand, extreme depth usually indicates starchiness, late maturity and low 

 yield. There must be solidity and compactness in our corn, small space 

 between the kernels at the surface and no space at the cob. 



Finally in the selection of corn, let us bear in mind that it is not 

 merely a selection for show purpose, but that we are selecting corn with 

 the ultimate aim of establishing and improving varieties for the highest 

 yield. A careful test on any farm will convince the most skeptical that 

 the proper selection, grading and testing of seed corn will pay. 



THE CLOVER AND LIME PROBLEM. 



WALLACES' FARMEE. 



Many of the soils of the southern half of the corn belt and some of 

 those of the northern half have become acid, and in order to grow good 

 red clover or alfalfa, require the application of from one-half a ton to 

 three tons of limestone per acre. In many sections of our territory it 

 is possible to spread on the limestone at a cost per acre of not much 

 more than $1 or $1.50, but in other sections it is next to impossible to 

 put on lime with any economy. If our farmers were only awake to 

 the situation they would realize that at the present time we have a 

 lime problem in the corn belt. 



Beginning with the season of 1909, and omitting that of 1912, most 

 of the corn belt has suffered more or less from drouth. To have so 

 many dry summers in succession is unusual. Year after year our farmers 

 have lost their clover seed, and the next year they have seeded more 

 in the hope that the season would be normal. Probably millions of dol- 

 lars have been lost on account of our inability to secure a good stand of 

 clover during the last flve years. Of course, a number of men have been 



