CHAPTER XII 

 PREPARING SEED CORN FOR PLANTING 



There is only one way by which the farmer can be certain 

 that his seed corn is strong in vitality, that is, to give it a 

 germination test. By an examination of the germ, most of 

 us can tell whether the kernel is healthy or dead; but no 

 man's judgment can be depended upon to detect unerringly 

 the strong from the weak. For this reason, a sample from all 

 corn to be planted should be tested and, if it does not show 

 a germination of at least ninety-five per cent, each individual 

 ear should be tested. 



One hundred good sized ears will plant ten acres. One 

 man can easily examine and place in the tester the kernels 

 from four hundred ears in one day. This is enough seed to 

 plant forty acres, and if only a few weak or dead ears are 

 revealed by the test, the farmer is well repaid for his trouble. 



This question is often asked, If the corn is selected from 

 the field before freezing weather sets in and is properly 

 dried will it be necessary to test it? If all this has been 

 done, it will perhaps not be necessary to test each ear; but 

 in order to be sure the seed is strong, a fair composite sample 

 should be tested. If the results do not show uniformly strong 

 sprouts, the ears should be individually tested and the weak 

 thrown out. There are so many different conditions that 

 can weaken the vitality of seed corn that the only safe plan 

 is to test at least a sample. 



All seed sent out by reliable seed corn growers is sold 

 under a definite germination guarantee of from ninety to 

 ninety-seven -per cent. This germination is determined after 



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