KING CORN 147 
The author purchases every year for his own growing 
seeds amounting to thousands of dollars, and his long 
experience in the purchase and growing of seeds has 
persuaded him that there ought to be a drastic law regu- 
lating the selling of seeds. There are so many dishonest 
persons dealing with dishonest seeds that the honest 
dealer is often imposed upon, but under present methods 
the grower suffers the entire loss of poor, unreliable 
seeds. 
Wherever it is possible to do so, the farmer should 
grow his own seed crop. When it is necessary to pur- 
chase, deal only with reliable persons and houses. 
Seed corn is so easily grown and cared for. It is said 
that the best time to begin selecting seed corn is while 
you are cultivating the corn, by noticing the most prom- 
ising stalks and ears; but as we are usually too busy at 
this time to do this, the practical time to select is at husk- 
ing time. 
In selecting seed corn, the stalks and husks should. be 
first noticed. The ear should be on the stalk at a 
medium height from the ground, and the ear should bend 
downward. 
The husks should cover the ear entirely. The follow- 
ing rules for selecting good seed corn are as good as any 
that can be given: 
“The ear should be full and strong in middle portion. 
The circumference in the middle should be about three- 
fourths of the length of the ear. 
“The rows of kernels should be straight, and not less 
than 16 nor more than 22 in number. 
