FIELD CROPS 405 



turn and take the third kernel about 2 inches from the tip of the 

 ear. Holding the ear in this same position, take kernel No. 4 about 

 2 inches from, the butt of the ear. Make another quarter turn and 

 take the fifth kernel from near the center of the ear. Make still 

 another quarter turn and take the sixth kernel about 2 inches from 

 the tip of the ear. The ear has now been turned completely aroimd, 

 two kernels have been taken from the butt, two from tne center, 

 and two from near the tip of the ear. If the work has been well 

 done each set of two kernels was removed from exactly opposite sides 

 of the ear. 



At the beginning this work will undoubtedly seem laborious 

 and some of the kernels will be injured, but with a little practice 

 the kernels can be removed rapidly and in perfect condition. It 

 must be remembered, however, that the side of the kernels con- 

 taining the germ is toward the tip of the ear, and care must be 

 taken that the germ is not injured during the sampling. 



It is important that the ears be numbered or arranged in thef 

 same definite order as the corresponding tests in the germinating 

 box. One of the most satisfactory methods for this purpose is the use 

 of a rack. This is primarily a drying rack for seed corn, and 

 is extremely simple in construction and likewise inexpensive. After 

 the kernels from the first ear have been placed in square No. 1 of 

 the germinating box, the ear is shoved on nail No. 1 of the drying 

 rack, ear No. 2 on nail No. 2, and so on. These racks can then be 

 suspended in some suitable place and there need be no fear of the 

 ears being mixed while the germination test is in progress. 



A germinating box can be made in a few minutes' time from 

 any boards picked up about the cribs or other farm buildings. The 

 box should be about 1^ or 2 inches deep inside and the length and 

 width such as to suit the needs of the individual farmer, but it 

 should not be made water-tight. Instead of filling the box with 

 sand, soil, or sawdust, as is commonly recommended, the seed bed 

 is made of heavy canton flannel or similar material, having two or 

 three thicknesses of cloth in the bottom of the box and one or two 

 thicknesses of cloth for covering the kernels after the squares have 

 been filled. A new cloth should be thoroughly washed before using. 



For use, first wet the cloth thoroughly by soaking in water and 

 then place the half of the cloth, double thickness, which has been 

 marked in squares, in the bottom of the germinating box. The 

 kernels from ear No. 1 are then placed, germ side up, in square 

 No. 1, and so on. When all of the squares have been filled, fold the 

 other end of the cloth carefully over the kernels. If during the 

 sampling the cloths have become dry, sprinkle them well with 

 water. Cover the box with a piece of glass (oilcloth may be used) 

 to prevent the evaporation of the water from the cloths, and set the 

 box aside for a few days to await the results of the test. 



The principal advantage of a germinating box of this kind is 

 that it is almost impossible to injure the corn by the addition of too 

 much water, as is frequently done where tests are made in soil or 

 sand. Moreover, the entire development of each kernel, both root 



