PRODUCTION OF CORN 



79 



result. It takes just as much work to get the land ready, 

 to plant, and to cultivate a poor crop as it does a good one. 

 Therefore, there is a clear gain in using seed corn of a high- 

 producing strain, having perfect germination when tested. 

 It is not uncommon to find on neighboring farms fields of 

 the same kind of soil, which have had equal care in prepa- 

 ration of the land and cultivation of the crop, showing a 

 marked difference in 

 yield in favor of the 

 one where careful at- 

 tention was given to 

 the selection and test- 

 ing of the seed. The 

 only sure means of 

 knowing whether seed 

 corn will make a good 

 stand is to make a test 

 for germination. The 

 value of making such 

 tests on a large scale 



Two methods of holding ears of corn to 

 dry for seed. 



, . A, B, C, D. steps in making a sling for 



was emphasized in trie corn ear s from binder twine. 



E, F, G. steps in making a seed corn rack 

 from a piece of woven-wire fencing material. 



spring of 1918. Be- 

 cause corn of the pre- 

 vious season had failed to mature, there was an almost uni- 

 versal shortage of seed corn throughout the Corn Belt. Ex- 

 travagant prices were paid for corn that would germinate 

 although it was inferior in other particulars. Those farmers 

 who planted corn selected from the crib as usual failed 

 entirely to get a stand. While other farmers, who planted 

 only seed showing a high percentage of germination in the 

 test, had no trouble whatever. 

 Com intended for seed should be carefully inspected, ear 



