FARM CROPS. 



101 



REMOVING KERNELS FOR GERMINATING TEST. 



heavy, mature ears, bearing deep wedge-shaped ker- 

 nels, having large germs and a large proportion of 

 the hard flinty endosperm. The rows of kernels are 

 usually straight in well-bred varieties, the color pure, 

 white kernels, white cob, yellow or other color of ker- 

 nels, red cob, although there are exceptions to this rule. 

 In all events the heaviest mature dry ears are usually 

 the best. The ears should conform to variety char- 

 acteristics. 



Seed Corn Testing. Although the general condi- 

 tion of the seed corn can be judged from the condition 

 of the kernels, it is wise to test every seed ear planted. 

 This can be done as follows : Secure a box at least 

 2 feet x 3 feet and 6 inches deep. Fill half full of 

 moist sawdust. Mark a white piece of cloth the size 

 of the box off into checker-board squares with a lead 

 pencil. The square should be about 2 inches x 2 in- 

 ches. Lay this cloth, marked side up, on top of the 

 sawdust, and tack to sides of box. Number each 

 square. Take a sample of six kernels, from different 

 parts of the ear, from every ear. Be sure each ear 

 is labeled. Lay the sample kernels from ear No. I 



