70 



FIELD CROPS 



number of kernels from different parts of ear No. 1 and 

 place them on square No. 1 in the box, the same number 

 from ear No. 2 on square No. 2, and so on until the 

 box is filled. Six kernels from each ear, which is the usual 

 number taken, will give a very fair test. Reading the test 

 is facilitated if each kernel is laid germ side up and all are 

 laid with the tips in one direction. When the box is filled, 

 it is sprinkled until the corn and sawdust are thoroughly 



moistened. A dry cloth 

 is then laid over the 

 corn, and on top of this 

 a second cloth, to be 

 covered with more saw- 

 dust. The box is then 

 placed in a warm room, 

 as a living room, and 

 kept moist for five or six 

 days, at the end of which 

 time the cover is re- 

 moved and the test read. 

 The cover should be 

 taken off carefully, as 

 some of the sprouts may 

 have grown through the 

 cloth so that they are likely to be displaced in removing 

 it. It is desirable to save only the ears from which 

 every kernel germinates strongly. Ears from which all the 

 kernels do not germinate strongly should be discarded. 

 When one has a variety of corn known to be adapted to his 

 conditions, has selected and graded it till the kernels are 

 uniform, and has tested the germination and discarded 

 all that did not germinate 100 per cent, he has good 

 seed corn. 



Fig. 22. Germination of corn kernels. The 

 one at the left has the tip shoot only; the one 

 in the center, the root; only the one at the 

 right, with both root and tip strongly devel- 

 oped, will produce a strong plant. 



