34 AGRICULTURE 



corresponding positions on the other side of the ear. These 

 six kernels are to be placed, germ side up and tips all toward 

 one side of the box, in the squares over the sawdust, those 

 from ear No. 1 in square No. 1, and so on, until six ker- 

 nels have been taken from each of the one hundred ears and 

 placed in the tester. 



After the kernels are all in position, thus filling the one 

 hundred squares, lay a piece of cloth over them, taking care 

 not to disturb their positions. Sprinkle this cloth well with 

 warm water. Now lay over this another cloth about twice 

 the size of the box. Fill in on top about two inches of 

 damp sawdust, packing it down very firmly. Then fold the 

 edges of the cloth over the sawdust, covering it so that 

 it will not dry out. 



The germination box is now ready to set away for the 

 kernels to sprout. The box should be kept in a fairly warm 

 place, and must not be allowed to freeze. The kernels 

 should be allowed from six to eight days for sprouting, 

 depending on the temperature. It is not enough that the 

 germination has merely started ; it must be allowed to go 

 on for some days to show whether the new plant has good 

 vitality. 



The number of germination boxes required will depend 

 on the amount of seed to be tested. Several can be used 

 at the same time, stacking one on top of another as they 

 are filled. The ears must, of course, remain in their orig- 

 inal positions on the tables until the results of the test are 

 determined. 



Reading the test. At the end of the germination 

 period the cover must be removed without disturbing the 

 kernels. This can be done by carefully rolling up the top 

 pad of sawdust in its cloth. The sprouts will be some 

 two inches long, and may in some cases have grown through 

 the first cloth covering. 



