CORN 69 



Placing the kernels. The kernels are now ready for plant- 

 ing, which may be done by pressing them germ side up into 

 the sand of the square set apart for them. Mark the next 

 ear in the same way, A 2, and plant five grains in square A2; 

 following this method until five grains have been planted 

 from the last ear in (it may be) square Fll, or any other 

 square. Now you are prepared to wait for the corn to come 

 up. The marked ears are laid aside where they can not 

 be disturbed by mice, rats, or meddlesome persons ; the tester, 

 with every grain of corn pressed just below the surface of 

 the sand, is sprinkled with water, and then covered with 

 moistened muslin or other cloth to keep the test-box from 

 drying so fast. 



Results of test. If any ear of corn shows less than perfect 

 germination in every kernel taken, that ear should be dis- 

 carded. It is not safe to plant seed from an ear that shows 

 any weak or dead kernels. Perhaps the simplest and most 

 important lesson to get from this study is that no one should 

 plaint corn that is not known by actual and careful test to 

 be in perfect germinating condition. If seed corn has to be 

 bought, it should be bought in the ear so that the purchaser 

 may know what his corn is and may test it for himself. 



IX. PLANTING THE CORN 



Time to plant. Early planting is generally advised, but 

 corn is a warm weather plant. It will not germinate until 

 the soil has become warmer than is necessary for the growth 

 of peas, oats, and certain other hardy plants. 



