TESTING SMALLER FARM AND GARDEN SEEDS 49 



" Moisten one of these cloths and lay it out on a board of con- 

 venient size in front of the ears which are to be tested. Remove 

 six kernels from ear No. 1 and place in the square No. 1 in the 

 upper left-hand corner of the cloth. Take six kernels from ear 

 No. 2 and place in square No. 2. When the cloth has been filled 

 begin at the upper end with ears 1, 2, etc., and roll the cloth up. 

 Since the cloth is moistened the kernels will not likely push out 

 of place. If a small irregular-shaped piece of wood or some other 

 substance is used as a core in rolling, a more uniform germination 

 may be secured. When the rolling of the cloth has been finished, 

 tie a string rather loosely about the middle of the roll; or, better 

 still, use a rubber band. Number this roll No. 1. Then proceed 

 with roll No. 2 in the same way. As many rolls may be used as 

 are necessary to contain the corn. From 20 to 50 ears can be 

 tested in each roll, depending upon the length. 



"After the rolls have been filled they should be placed in a 

 bucket of water, where they may remain for from 2 to 18 hours, 

 depending upon the preference of the operator. At the end of this 

 time pour off the water and turn the bucket upside-down over the 

 rolls or a common box may be used for this purpose. Small 

 pieces of wood should be laid under the rolls and one edge of the 

 pail should be lifted from one-half to one inch in order to give 

 sufficient ventilation. Some have left the pail in an upright 

 position, placing a few sticks or corn cobs in the bottom of the 

 pail to insure proper drainage, and then packing a moist, coarse 

 cloth over the rolls to prevent excessive drying. Cover the pail 

 with a kettle lid. At the end of five days the kernels should be 

 ready to read. 



" Depending upon the arrangement of the ears, select, first, 

 either roll No. 1 or the last roll filled. This cloth will be unrolled 

 in front of the ears which are represented. Examine all kernels 

 carefully. " 



After the test is made the ears showing low germination should 

 be removed from the others. Those with about 80 per cent of 

 germination may be kept in reserve for use only if there are not 

 enough with perfect seed. 



Testing Smaller Farm and Garden Seeds. There are several 

 good methods by which farm and garden seeds may be tested. 



1. The seeds may be planted in trays or boxes of soil. These 

 should be well watered and kept in a warm room and away from 

 mice. A record of each lot should be placed on a label in the soil 

 4 



