FOR BKTTKR CHOPS 



55 



of the ^germination box, on the sawdust and tack it to the sides 

 and ends of the box. Lay the ears of corn to be tested side by 

 side on the floor or table. Remove six kernels from six different 

 places in ear Ko. 1 and place them in square No. 1 in the porini- 

 nation box g-erm side up and crown pointing- from you. Then 

 remove six kernels in a like manner from ear No. 2 and place in 

 square No. 2 in the germination box, and so on. When the 

 squares in the germination box are all lilled, lay a piece of good 

 cloth over the kernels and 

 dampen by sprinkling t 

 water over it. Place over 

 this, a cloth considerably 

 larger than the box and 

 fill the box wuth moist 

 sawdust, tamp with a 

 brick or board or tread on 

 it with your feet until 

 firmly packed on top of 

 the corn. Keep the box 

 in a place where it will 

 not freeze; raise the upper 

 side of the box or the 

 side toward which the 

 crowns of the kernels 

 point, 3 or 4 inches; the 

 stem sprouts will then 

 grow up and the root 

 sprouts down, thus mak- 

 ing it much easier to read 

 the test. It requires about 

 eight days for the corn to 

 germinate. At the end of 

 that time roll back and 

 remove the cloth contain- 

 ing the top layer of saw- 

 dust. Now remove the 

 second cloth as carefully 

 as possible and examine 



Plate No. 8 



the six sprouted kernels in each square. The box when com- 

 pleted and set away for germination may be described briefly 

 as follows: Two inches of sawdust packed firmly in the bottom 

 of the box. On this is laid the cloth ruled off in squares, then 

 the kernels laid in the squares, a second cloth spread on the 

 kernels and dampened, then a third cloth much larger than the 

 box, on which is placed 2 inches more of damp sawdust packed 

 firmly. The edges of the larger cloth may be folded over on the 

 top of the sawdust. 



Barren Stalks— Of the five stalksin the twohillsshown, onlv 



