STORING SEED CORN 



105 



It is desirable to obtain as large a proportion of shelled 

 corn to cob as possible, and depth of kernel is a very fair 

 indication of this proportion ; but the fact that deep-kerneled 

 varieties are almost always later in maturing than the types 

 with more shallow kernels must not be 

 overlooked. Care and judgment must 

 always be used to select kernels as deep 

 as is practical, and still get corn that 

 will mature safely in the locality. 



STORING SEED CORN 



133. Conditions for Storing. In 



storing seed corn, one must recognize 

 the fact that in each kernel of corn 

 there is a small, living plant, which 

 under certain conditions may be in- 

 jured. If corn is placed in a damp, 

 warm atmosphere, the germ is likely 

 to be injured by molding. If the corn 

 is exposed to severe cold while- it still 

 contains a large percentage of moisture, 

 the cells in the germ are very likely 

 to be broken by the expansion of the 

 moisture on freezing and the germ thus 

 destroyed. It is thus apparent that 

 the safe storage of seed corn requires 

 that it should be dried out quickly, 

 that it be kept in a place where it will 



remain drj^, and that it be not allowed to freeze until it is 

 thoroughly dry. Though corn will stand considerable freez- 

 ing without injury when it is dry, it is better to protect it 

 from frost if possible, for it is difficult to determine just 

 when it is dry enough to be safe. 



134. Storage Houses. Where large quantities of seed 

 corn are handled, as is the case with seed firms, special seed- 



Figure 42. — The seed corn 

 tree. Nails are driven 

 in rows on the sides of 

 the post and the seed 

 oars are stnok on them. 



