254 CORN 



(a) Vitality. A good germ is needed, one that is 

 large, bright, and plump. But it will not do to trust to 

 looks. To determine whether the kernels have life, a 

 germination test should be made shortly before planting. 

 Several inexpensive devices for this purpose are in use. 



Professor H. D. Hughes of the Iowa Experiment Station has in- 

 vented a simple contrivance, which he calls the "rag doll " outfit. 



A few yards of good sheeting are torn in strips, 8 inches wide and 

 from 3 to 5 feet long. A line is drawn lengthwise with a pencil 

 through the middle of a strip, and then cross lines are made about 



THE "RAG DOLL" TEST. 



every three inches. This divides the cloth into squares, which are 

 numbered. 



A marked strip is now wetted and spread out before the ears to be 

 tested. Six kernels are taken from an ear marked one, and are 

 placed in the number one space ; six are taken from an ear marked 

 two, and are laid on the space marked two, and so on. The six ker- 

 nels from each ear should be taken from different parts of it. 



When the spaces have all been used, the cloth is rolled up carefully. 

 The moisture present will prevent the kernels from slipping out of 

 place. A string is now tied loosely around each end, or a rubber 

 band may be used. From 30 to 50 ears can be tested on each piece 

 of sheeting. 



When this part of the process has been completed, the rolls are 

 placed in water from 8 to 12 hours ; they are then put into an ordinary 

 box or under a bucket upside down for about five days, but placed so 

 as to get air. 



