Corn 35 



dealer is reliable, above all things. There are 

 many varieties of corn and a number of very good 

 ones. The Golden Bantam probably is one of the 

 sweetest and best for the table, though the ears 

 are small. 



Sweet corn intended for seed should be gathered 

 before heavy frosts. As soon as the kernels begin 

 to harden the ears can be gathered, slip-shucked, 

 part of the husk turned back, and the ears tied 

 together in pairs, and hung on a wire in a cool, 

 dry place. In damp weather there is danger of 

 mold if the ears are crowded closely together. 



Tarring corn: In coating seed corn with coal-tar 

 as a protection against crows and blackbirds, put 

 the grain into a pail and pour on enough warm 

 water to cover it. Add a teaspoonful of tar to a 

 peck and stir well. Throw the corn out on a sieve 

 or in a basket to drain, and then stir in a few hand- 

 fuls of land-plaster (gypsum). Never pour the 

 tar on the dry seed. 



Seed corn should be thoroughly tested before 

 planting. A shallow box filled with soil and di- 

 vided into little squares will serve to test it. 

 On each square place three grains of corn from 

 different parts of the same ear. Test it miscel- 



