76 



AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



kernels, usually five, from each ear in a box in a moderately 

 warm room. If four out of five kernels grow the ear is fit for 

 seed, but it is better to have every kernel grow. There are 

 many ways of testing the kernels, but the use of a box like 

 that in Fig. 16 is good. The box is about 18 inches wide, 

 24 inches long and 2 inches deep and filled with garden soil 





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1 6. TESTING VITALITY OF CORN — THIS IS ONE OF THE GOOD METHODS 

 By courtesy of the Indiana Experiment Station 



over which is a half -inch of clean sand. The top is divided 

 into one and a half inch squares by means of wire. The five 

 kernels from each ear are placed in a square. The ears may 

 be tagged to correspond with the squares or be laid in regular 

 order on a rack. When the squares are filled the kernels are 

 pressed into the soil and the soil dampened. The box is now 

 covered with glass or loosely woven cloth and put into a room 

 having a temperature of about 70° F. In five days all the 



