64 CORN CULTURE 



rately. This can be done by preparing a number of large germination 

 boxes. 



Germination Box. Make a box of wood or sheet-iron about 30 

 inches square (Fig. 26). Put 3 inches of sand or sawdust in the 

 bottom. Lay over this a white cotton cloth marked off in 3-inch 

 squares. Number the squares from 1 to 100. Now place the ears of 

 corn in order, on a floor, shelves, or in a rack. Number the ears 

 from 1 to 100. Place six grains from ear number 1 in square num- 

 ber 1, and so on until grains have been taken from each ear. Lay 

 a second cloth over the kernels and place one inch of sawdust on top. 

 Wet down thoroughly and keep in a warm place. In 5 days the top 

 cloth can be rolled off, and examination will readily show which 

 ears will germinate and which will not. 



There are a number of patented germinators on the market, with 

 means of providing artificial heat, that are satisfactory. 



Doll Baby Germinator. Another satisfactory method is the 

 doll baby. Lay out the corn ears side by side on a floor. Lay a 

 long strip of Canton flannel 12 inches wide by the row of ears. Place 

 kernels of corn about three inches from one edge of the cloth strip. 

 Then fold over the strip from one side. Roll strip from one end. 

 When rolled up, soak in water for 12 hours, then place roll in a 

 covered receptacle and keep at proper temperature for several days 

 Unroll cloth at end of same ears of corn. At a glance it will be 

 ascertained which ears will grow. 



Butt and Tip Kernels for Seed. Frequent tests have shown 

 that butt and tip kernels grow and produce fairly well. However, 

 they are smaller, and planters can not be adjusted to plant all sizes of 

 corn evenly. It is advisable to remove the small kernels from butt 

 and tip before shelling seed. 



EXERCISES 



Field Study of Maize. This exercise is most valuable if made in two 

 fields, one a good field and the other poorer. 



1. First measure the width of rows and figure out how long a row it will 

 take to equal one one-hundredth of an acre. In most fields this will be 

 between 7 and 8 rods." 



2. Let each student take a row and secure the following data : 

 How many stalks per row? 



Per cent of ear-bearing stalks. 

 Per cent of barren stalks. 



