CHAPTER XII 
PREPARING SEED CORN FOR PLANTING 
There is only one way by which the farmer can be certain 
that his seed corn is strong in vitality, that is, to give it a 
germination test. By an examination of the germ, most of 
us can tell whether the kernel is healthy or dead; but no 
man’s judgment can be depended upon to detect unerringly 
the strong from the weak. For this reason, a sample from all 
corn to be planted should be tested and, if it does not show 
a germination of at least ninety-five per cent, each individual 
ear should be tested. 
One hundred good sized ears will plant ten acres. One 
man can easily examine and place in the tester the kernels 
from four hundred ears in one day. This is enough seed to 
plant forty acres, and if only a few weak or dead ears are 
revealed by the test, the farmer is well repaid for his trouble. 
This question is often asked, If the corn is selected from 
the field before freezing weather sets in and is properly 
dried will it be necessary to test it? If all this has been 
done, it will perhaps not be necessary to test each ear; but 
in order to be sure the seed is strong, a fair composite sample 
should be tested. If the results do not show uniformly strong 
sprouts, the ears should be individually tested and the weak 
thrown out. There are so many different conditions that 
can weaken the vitality of seed corn that the only safe plan 
is to test at least a sample. 
All seed sent out by reliable seed corn growers is sold 
under a definite germination guarantee of from ninety to 
ninety-seven per cent. This germination is determined after 
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